Fregatidae - Frigatebirds
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 There are five species of large birds in this family. Frigatebirds are found in tropical and subtropical oceans. They spend most of their time on the open ocean, coming inland only to breed. They nest on ocean islands or on coastal areas.
Frigatebirds are 2.5 to 3.5 feet in length and have a wingspan of around 6 feet. Frigatebirds are black or dark brown and have an unfeathered expandable gular pouch. In mating season, the gular pouches of males can be bright red. They have long, hooked bills; long, narrow, pointed wings; and long, forked tails. Females are usually larger than males. Frigate birds eat flying fish, squid, and jellyfish.
 Fregatidae Photo Gallery
World Status Key
 Least Concern  Near Threatened  Vulnerable  Endangered  Critically Endangered  Extinct in Wild  Extinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.
US Status Key
 Threatened in US  Threatened in NH  Endangered in US  Endangered in NH  Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game
New Hampshire Species
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North/Central American Species
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None
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Great Frigatebird - Fregata minor     
Magnificent Frigatebird - Fregata magnificens
Lesser Frigatebird - Fregata ariel |
Additional Information
Key:  Profile  Photos  Video  Audio
Ascension Frigatebird - Fregata aquila
The Ascension Island frigatebird breeds on Boatswainbird Island, an island off the coast of Ascension Island.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Christmas Frigatebird - Fregata andrewsi
The Christmas frigatebird breeds on Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Christmas Frigatebird - Fregata andrewsi
The Christmas frigatebird is a large black sea bird with a deeply forked tail and a long hooked bill.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Great Frigatebird - Fregata minor
The great frigatebird breeds on isolated islands in the tropical and sub-tropical waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Great Frigatebird - Fregata minor
Great frigatebird females breed every 2 years.
Source: Animal Diversity We Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Lesser Frigatebird - Fregata ariel
The lesser frigatebird breeds on islands in the Indian Ocean, the west and central Pacific Ocean, and the southern Atlantic Ocean.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Magnificent Frigatebird - Fregata magnificens
The magnificent frigate bird breeds on islands throughout the Caribbean, in tropical areas along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of Central and South America, and in the Galapagos Islands. They are also found in southern Florida and the Gulf Coast.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Magnificent Frigatebird - Fregata magnificens
The magnificent frigate bird snatches food off the surface of the ocean and steals food from other birds.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Magnificent Frigatebird - Fregata magnificens
The magnificent frigate bird can glide for long distances without beating its wings.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
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There are five species of large birds in this family. Frigatebirds are found in tropical and subtropical oceans. They spend most of their time on the open ocean, coming inland only to breed. They nest on ocean islands or on coastal areas.
Europe 
NH Species