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Birds of Zihuatanejo

CLASS AVES

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Chordates (Phylum Chordata)

-Vertebrates (Subphylum Vertebrata)

-Birds (Class Aves)

-Gannets, Cormorants, and Allies (Order Suliformes)

-Frigatebirds (Family Fregatidae)

-Frigatebirds (Genus Fregata)

-Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens)


The magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) or man o' war is a seabird of the frigatebird family Fregatidae. With a length of 89–114 centimetres and wingspan of 2.17–2.44 m. It is the largest species of frigatebird. It occurs over tropical and subtropical waters off America, between northern Mexico and Perú on the Pacific coast. The magnificent frigatebird is a large, lightly built seabird with brownish-black plumage, long narrow wings and a deeply forked tail. The male has a striking red gular sac which he inflates to attract a mate. The female is slightly larger than the male and has a white breast and belly. Frigatebirds feed on fish taken in flight from the ocean's surface (often flying fish), and sometimes indulge in kleptoparasitism, harassing other birds to force them to regurgitate their food. This species feeds mainly on fish, squid, jellyfish and crustaceans. They may also feed on eggs and chicks taken from the nest of other seabirds, as well as turtle hatchlings and carrion from beaches.

Magnificent Frigatebird

Fregata magnificens

Diet

  • Primarily fish and squid captured from the ocean's surface.

  • Also feeds on jellyfish, crustaceans, and occasionally hatchling sea turtles.

  • Frequently steals food from other seabirds such as boobies, terns, and gulls (a behaviour known as kleptoparasitism).

  • Rarely lands on the water because its feathers are not waterproof.

Range

  • Found along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the Americas, from the southern United States through Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and much of South America to northern Argentina.

  • Common along the Pacific coast of Mexico, including the Zihuatanejo region, where it is a year-round resident.

  • Inhabits coastal waters, islands, estuaries, mangroves, beaches, and offshore waters, nesting colonially on islands and in coastal mangrove forests.

Male / Female

  • Male: Glossy black plumage with an inflatable bright red throat pouch (gular sac) used during courtship; black bill and dark eyes.

  • Female: Larger than the male, with a white breast and lower neck, black head and upperparts, a blue eye ring, and no red throat pouch.

  • Juveniles: White head and breast with brown upperparts, gradually acquiring adult plumage over several years.

  • The sexes are easily distinguished by their strikingly different plumage and the male's red gular sac.

Size

  • Length: 89–114 cm (35–45 in)

  • Wingspan: 217–244 cm (85–96 in)

  • Weight:

    • Male: 1.0–1.5 kg (2.2–3.3 lb)

    • Female: 1.3–1.8 kg (2.9–4.0 lb)

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