Magnificent Frigatebird

Scientific Name: Fregata magnificens

Type: Bird

Size: Wingspan 2 - 2.4m wingspan

Diet: Carnivorous (steals for birds and hunts)

Status: Least concern

Nicknames: Condor of the Ocean, Pirate of the Sky

Frigatebirds have the longest mating cycle of any seabird, with the male caring for young for 3 months, and females for another 9 months. They also are the only one where males and females have different breeding cycles.
Frigatebirds rarely travel outside of flight. Their feet are poorly adapted for walking or paddling, and its feathers aren't waterproof, so it is unable to enter the water.
Being able to steal prey is a learned skill, so juvenile birds will practice in groups by having one fly up and a drop a stick while the other catches.

Largest wingspan to body ratio among birds allows them to fly for hours or even days without having to land.
Hooked end of the beak allows for a better purchase on other birds when stealing their food.
Large inflatable red air pouch on male birds necks. This is used as a courting display, and allows females to choose the most healthy looking males, increasing health and strength of offspring.
Forked tail allows greater control while in midair, giving them sharper turns.

Magnificent Frigatebirds, since they do not have waterproof feathers, choose alternate methods of hunting as a seabird.
- By flying low over the surface, they can scoop up shallow fish with their beaks.
- Frigatebirds also obtain food by forcing other birds to regurgitate food, by grabbing them midair with their hooked beaks, then flip them upside down and shake them, causing them to vomit.
  - Juvenile birds will practice this with each other using sticks.

Digestive system is adapted to external acids, such as those found in other avian stomachs, making it much easier for the Frigatebirds to consume and digest food previously regurgitated by another bird.
Pigmentation in the red skin and plumage of males is controlled by the consumption of certain foods, similar to the plumage of a flamingo and skin tone of a Blue-Footed Booby. This allows for prospective mates to discern health based on sight, increasing likelihood of a strong healthy male producing offspring.