Back to Field Guide
Magnificent Frigatebird
Fregata magnificens
Audubon Illustration
John James Audubon, Birds of America (1827-1838). Public domain.
Range & Recent Observations
Last Spotted Near You
About the Magnificent Frigatebird
The magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens), frigate petrel or man o' war is a seabird of the frigatebird family Fregatidae. With a length of 89–114 centimetres (2 ft 11 in – 3 ft 9 in) and wingspan of 2.17–2.44 m (7 ft 1 in – 8 ft 0 in), it is the largest species of frigatebird. It occurs over tropical and subtropical waters off America, between northern Mexico and Peru on the Pacific coast and between Florida and southern Brazil along the Atlantic coast. There are also populations on the Galápagos Islands in the Pacific and the Cape Verde islands in the Atlantic.
Source: Wikipedia
Classification
- Scientific name
- Fregata magnificens
- Family
- Frigatebirds
- Order
- Suliformes
Similar species
Other members of the frigatebirds family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.
Know when the Magnificent Frigatebird turns up near you
How rare bird alerts work →Gear for spotting Magnificent Frigatebird
Optics
Best Binoculars for Beginners
You don't need to spend a fortune. These four pairs will get you birding confidently on day one.
8 min readRead guide
Cameras
Cameras for Bird Photography
From phone adapters to dedicated rigs, here's what actually works for capturing birds in the field.
12 min readRead guide