The tail is deeply forked and is often spread and then closed again in flight, acting as a rudder to steer the bird. They can fly faster than 30 mph (48 kph). This anatomical design allows frigatebirds to be excellent fliers and extremely efficient at soaring on rising columns of warm air. Almost half of their body weight consists of breast muscles and feathers, and the loading per unit of wing surface area is extremely small (proportionately to their body weight, they have the largest wings of any bird). They have long, sweeping, narrow wings, in which the lower arm and hand bones are strongly elongated. Physical characteristicsįrigatebirds have a body length of 30–44 in (75–112 cm), a wingspan of 69–91 in (176–230 cm), and a weight up to 3.3 lb (1.5 kg). A fossil frigatebird has been recovered from a deposit in England from the Lower Eocene. magnificens), the Ascension Island frigatebird ( F. The five species of Fregatidae are: the magnificent frigatebird ( F. The Pelecaniformes lineage is ancient, with a fossil record extending to the Lower Eocene (more than 54 million years ago). They are related to the pelicans, tropicbirds, cormorants, and gannets, which are also water birds in the order Pelecaniformes (characterized by four toes connected by webs, plus other traits). The five species of frigatebirds (genus Fregata) are the only ones in the family Fregatidae. aquila) are listed as Critically Endangeredĭistribution Breed on isolated tropical islands and tend to remain fairly local to those places when feeding and during the nonbreeding season the genus ranges worldwide in tropical and subtropical coastal waters Evolution and systematics Habitat Coastal waters of tropical and subtropical oceans of most of the worldĬonservation status The Christmas frigatebird (Fregata andrewsi) and the Ascension Island frigatebird (F. Number of genera, species 1 genus 5 species Size Body length is 30–44 in (75–112 cm) and wingspread 69–91 in (176–230 cm) females larger Possess the lightest wing-loading of any species, giving them great flying and soaring skills Middle claw is pectinate (serrated or bears projections like the teeth of a comb), and feet are webbed. Bill is long and strongly hooked nostrils absent. Gular (throat) region is unfeathered, expanded, and colorful in breeding males. Thumbnail description Distinctive, dark-colored seabirds with extremely long and pointed wings, and a forked tail.
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