Frigatebird

From Free net encyclopedia

For other uses, see Frigatebird (disambiguation).

{{Taxobox | color = pink | name = Frigatebirds | image = Lesserfrigbird.jpg | image_width = 240px | regnum = Animalia | phylum = Chordata | classis = Aves | ordo = Pelecaniformes | familia = Fregatidae | familia_authority = Degland & Gerbe, 1867 | genus = Fregata | genus_authority = Lacépède, 1799 | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision =

}}

There are five species in the family Fregatidae, the frigatebirds. They are very closely related, and are all in the single genus Fregata. Frigatebirds attack other sea birds, hence the name. They are also sometimes called Man of War birds or Pirate birds. Since they are related to the pelicans, the term "frigate pelican" is also a name applied to them.

All are large, black or black and white, with long wings and deeply-forked tails. The males have inflatable coloured throat pouches.

Frigatebirds are found over tropical oceans and ride warm updrafts. Therefore, they can often be spotted riding weather fronts and can signal changing weather patterns.

These birds do not swim or walk, and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan to body weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week, landing only to roost or breed on trees or cliffs. It also holds the flight speed record, diving at up to 400 km/h. They lay one or two white eggs.

Their feeding habits are pelagic. Frigatebirds often rob other seabirds of their catch, using their speed and manoeuvrability to outrun their victims. However, they are perfectly capable of catching fish, baby turtles and similar prey, snatching them up from flight.

Distribution and identifying characteristics differ among frigatebird species, and thus are addressed in species-specific articles.

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