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Galápagos Islands
Magnificent Frigatebirds

Male Magnificent frigatebirds One of the most common shorebirds seen along the coast of Ecuador and the Galapagos is the Magnificent frigatebird, a member of the pelican family.
Female frigatebird

firgatebird

Frigatebirds are large, mostly black, soaring birds with a wing span of more than six ft (2 m). They have a long, forked tail and great flexibility in the air, allowing them to intimidate smaller birds into giving up their prey.

This female is incubating the single egg that frigatebirds lay in nests along the shore. Both parents guard the nest in turn, keeping other frigatebirds away.

Frigate bird, puffed up pouch Male frigatebirds inflate their red throat pouches during courtship to attract females.
Frigate bird, puffed up pouch
Frigate bird and pelican Frigatebirds and pelicans compete for the same food source. Frigatebirds never land in water, although they will skim the surface and dip their long bills into water for a drink.

More Galápagos Islands Photo Gallery

Read about the Galápagos Archipelago and

the Galápagos Islands

Photograph thanks to ArtToday.com

Descriptions and help from:

  • Ecuador and its Galapagos Islands
    by David L. Pearson and Les Beletsky
  • Galapagos Islands Born of Fire
    by Tui De Roy


Articles about Ecuador Ecuador
Plan Your Trip to Ecuador Galapagos Islands

Copyright © Bonnie Hamre 1998 - 2006

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