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Christmas Island Frigatebird

Seabirds

Photo: desertnaturalist · CC BY 4.0 (May be cropped or resized)

Fregata andrewsi

Basic stats

Diet

Fish, mostly flying fish, taken in flight

Range

Breeds only on Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean

Size

89-100cm

Wingspan

205-230cm

Weight

About 1,550g

The Christmas Island frigatebird is a large, lightly built seabird with brownish-black plumage, long narrow wings and a deeply forked tail. It breeds only on Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean. It is 89 to 100 cm long with a wingspan of 205 to 230 cm and weighs about 1,550 g. The male has an egg-shaped white patch on the belly and a red throat pouch that he inflates to attract a mate; the female is slightly larger with a white breast and belly (Wikipedia, general species account).

It takes fish, mostly flying fish, from the ocean surface in flight, and sometimes harasses other birds into giving up food. Genetic analysis shows it is most closely related to the great frigatebird. The 2012 National Red List gives no status under this name.

Quick answers

What does the Christmas Island Frigatebird eat?
Fish, mostly flying fish, taken in flight
Where is the Christmas Island Frigatebird found?
Breeds only on Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean
How big is the Christmas Island Frigatebird?
89-100cm
What is the wingspan of the Christmas Island Frigatebird?
205-230cm
How much does the Christmas Island Frigatebird weigh?
About 1,550g
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