Fregata andrewsi
The Christmas Frigatebird, *Fregata andrewsi*, is a magnificent and critically endangered seabird, instantly recognizable by its impressive size and aerial prowess. Males are entirely black with an iridescent sheen, distinguished by a striking inflatable scarlet gular pouch that they display during courtship. Females are larger, possessing a contrasting white belly and breast, along with a prominent black patch on their foreneck and a duller red orbital ring. Juveniles have white heads and be...
Primarily a pelagic seabird, the Christmas Frigatebird breeds exclusively on Christmas Island, nesting in tall emergent trees like *Terminalia cattapa* and *Hernandia nymphaeifolia* in the rainforest canopy. Outside of breeding, they disperse widely over the tropical Indian Ocean, rarely coming a...
Their primary diet consists of fish, particularly flying fish and squid, which they snatch from the ocean surface or obtain through kleptoparasitism from other seabirds.
Christmas Frigatebirds are highly aerial and diurnal, spending much of their time soaring effortlessly on thermal currents, rarely flapping their wings. They exhibit remarkable kleptoparasitism, harassing other seabirds like boobies and terns until they regurgitate their catch, which the frigateb...
The Christmas Frigatebird's breeding range is uniquely restricted, nesting exclusively on Christmas Island, an Australian territory in the Indian Ocean. Outside of the breeding season, adults and juveniles disperse widely across the tropical Indian Ocean and into Southeast Asia. Their non-breedin...
Critically Endangered
- The Christmas Frigatebird holds the unfortunate distinction of being the most critically endangered frigatebird species globally. - They are one of the longest-lived seabirds, with individuals known to live over 30 years. - Their incredibly long wingspan-to-body-weight ratio allows them to stay...