Today’s animal of the day is the Frigatebird. With its large, black, pterodactyl-like tail, this large, black bird soars effortlessly on tropical breezes, no flapping required. Seeing a Magnificent Frigatebird soar through the sky is truly breathtaking. 

Birds in mid-air steal food from other birds in order to perform their aerial stunts. This red pouch on the throat of the males is inflated like a balloon in order to attract female attention. Females, unlike most other seabirds, have a white chest that sets them apart from their male counterparts.

Frigatebirds can be found flying throughout the coasts of the southern United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean, remaining close to the ocean, an excellent occasion for a stroll on the beach.

Amazing Facts About the Frigatebird:

• Frigatebirds are the only seabirds that have a distinct male and female appearance. Females do not have the males’ brilliant red pouch, but they are larger.
• The Frigatebird’s breeding season is very lengthy. For roughly 56 days, male and female birds incubate the eggs, and chicks do not even leave the nest until they’re 167 days old. For the first year after they are born, females continue to feed them.
• Despite having webbed feet, it seldom falls in the water since it lacks waterproof feathers, unlike other seabirds.
• Frigatebirds are frequently dubbed “Man O’ War Birds” because they harass other birds until they vomit their previously obtained meal, which the frigatebird catches in the air.
• It takes practice to learn how to hunt other birds and grab their food. Young frigatebirds pursue each other with sticks in their jaws. To recover the stick, one of them dives to the bottom.
• During scientific research, the oldest known Frigatebird was recaptured in the Lesser Antilles at the age of 19 years, 9 months.