Magnificent Frigatebird

 Got reminded of these recently because I was watching a late night talk show, the kind that does a bit of news and a bit of celebrity interview. I like them because they give me a bit of news without making me feel like the world is ending, so I can watch them without getting depressed or something. This particular time, the celebrity being interviewed was playing an ornithologist and they tested her knowledge about some birds. The first was a puffin, which was kinda 'duh' and I was disappointed she didn't get. This guy was second, then third was a cardinal, which was very 'duh', an Andean Cock-Of-The-Rock, which I know because it's part of my ongoing theory about ornithologists being massive trolls, then a white-breasted nuthatch, which I'm more than ok with the lady not getting because it's (sorry ornithologist) a very generic looking small white bird. 

Here's why you'll always remember what the Magnificent Frigate Bird looks like. 

Ocean Conservancy is the source for this picture, since it's a seabird. You can see why I told you it's memorable, can't you? 

Despite being a seabird, these guys actually aren't waterproof, which is a bit amusing. They're masters of soaring though, able to fly for weeks with no problems and having the smallest bird-to-wing ration. They have giant wings, about 7 and a half feet at full size, but they themselves only weigh about three pounds. For an example, something I'm dealing with right now, kittens can't receive most flea medications or collars until they're about 3-5 pounds. So, my 7 week old kitten weighs as much as them. Downside of that though is that the wind can throw them around a lot more than other birds with more weight or smaller wings. 

Because they aren't waterproof, these guys tend to steal food from other birds, or hunt in tidepools and shallow things like that. Their main strategy of stealing from others is actually a strategy called 'Kleptoparasitism', where they grab other birds and shake them until they regurgitate their food, and the frigatebird steals that. 

That giant red pouch you see above is something the males have to impress the ladies. Apparently, they inflate them to show off and can hum in a way that makes a drumming sound, which they accompany with shrieks. That's not the coolest thing about them-- the guys actually stick around for the first while, taking turns incubating the egg, then helping mom raise the baby for the first three months. The moms stick around for another 6 months, then the baby is mostly on their own. That makes them better fathers than alot of animals. 

As awesome as these guys are, I have something to say that might make you grumpy at them. One of the things listed as part of their diet, therefore something they eat enough to justify adding it here, is baby green turtles. Meanies.

This picture is from Fact Animal. It's of male and female frigate birds, so you can see the difference. 

These guys are interesting, I like that they're good fathers, the red balloon on the guys is hilarious and memorable...but they're also assholes, so never mind. But, you can have some fun showing off your new knowledge of these weird and ridiculous birds.

I hope you had fun learning about these guys, and that I'll see you again soon. 

Sources:

All About Birds--Magnificent Frigatebird ID pics

All About Birds-- Magnificent Frigatebird Information

Birds Don't Pee-- The Frigatebird Whisperer

Ocean Conservancy-- Meet the Magnificent Frigatebird

Galapagos Conservation-- Magnificent Frigatebird

Audubon-- Magnificent Frigatebird

Fact Animal-- 8 Magnificent Frigatebird Facts

Latin Roots Travel-- 15 Facts about Magnificent Frigatebirds