Wildlifeof Thailand
Lesser Frigatebird
Fregatidae
Photo: Ariefrahman · CC BY-SA 4.0 (May be cropped or resized)
Fregata ariel
Basic stats
Diet
Fish taken in flight from the ocean surface, often flying fish; also kleptoparasitism
Habitat
Tropical and subtropical oceans; breeds on remote islands
Range
Tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans
Clutch size
1 egg
Size
66–81cm
Wingspan
155–193cm
Weight
Males 625–875g
The lesser frigatebird is the smallest frigatebird, 66–81 cm long with a wingspan of 155–193 cm and a long, forked tail; males weigh 625–875 g. It is a lightly built seabird with brownish-black plumage and long, narrow wings. The female is slightly larger and has a white breast and belly, and the male has a large red throat sac that he inflates in courtship (Wikipedia, general species account).
It occurs over tropical and subtropical waters across the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and breeds on remote islands, including Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean. Frigatebirds feed on fish taken in flight from the ocean surface, often flying fish, and sometimes harass other birds to force them to give up food. A single egg is laid and takes six to seven weeks to hatch (Wikipedia, general species account).
Quick answers
- What does the Lesser Frigatebird eat?
- Fish taken in flight from the ocean surface, often flying fish; also kleptoparasitism
- What habitat does the Lesser Frigatebird live in?
- Tropical and subtropical oceans; breeds on remote islands
- Where is the Lesser Frigatebird found?
- Tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans
- How many eggs does the Lesser Frigatebird lay?
- 1 egg
- How big is the Lesser Frigatebird?
- 66–81cm
- What is the wingspan of the Lesser Frigatebird?
- 155–193cm
- How much does the Lesser Frigatebird weigh?
- Males 625–875g