Christmas Island Frigatebird

The species has a small population and breeds on just one island.

Christmas island frigatebird. It is one of five species of frigatebird and the rarest. The christmas frigatebird is endemic to christmas island and breeds in only four main nesting colonies. They are known as the pirates of the bird kingdom because they are known to mercilessly harass other birds such as terns and. It is one of only five frigatebird species all with glossy black plumage long narrow wings buoyant and acrobatic flight and.

In 2003 there were 1 200 breeding pairs but as frigatebirds normally breed every other year the total adult population was estimated to be between 3 600 and 7 200 individuals. The christmas island frigatebird is a spectacular large seabird. Adult females have a black throat with a white hind collar breast and belly. Hot on the heels of this was the even more unexpected philippine pied fantail that appeared in the woodlot on 29th.

Adults are easier to separate from similar frigatebirds than younger birds. I had to pinch myself repeatedly while looking at. The first was the second year female christmas island frigatebird that was flapping around the river mouth on the morning of 23rd. Second year female christmas island frigatebird.

In the wild it can only be found on christmas island a small australian territory in the indian ocean. The christmas island frigatebird is one of the five frigatebird species in the world and it is endemic to christmas island in the indian ocean. The christmas island frigatebird is only found on the christmas islands in the indian ocean. These birds are particularly threatened by the introduced yellow crazy ant due to the.

Oddly the species shares the island with its relatives the lesser and great frigatebirds which are widespread across the tropics. Frigates birds are very aerial birds and do not walk or swim. Females are larger than males. The white spurs on the wing are angled forwards.

Adult males are all black with a white oval belly patch and white spurs emanating outwards from the body onto the wing.