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Magnificent Frigatebird Collection

The magnificent frigatebird, known scientifically as Fregata magnificens, is a sight to behold in the Galapagos Islands

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Magnificent frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens) diving for fish prey, Borrero Bay

Magnificent frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens) diving for fish prey, Borrero Bay, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) attacking Blue footed booby (Sula nebouxii

Magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) attacking Blue footed booby (Sula nebouxii) feeding chick. This bird is trying to steal the food from the parent. Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) in flight over sea between Isabela Island

Magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) in flight over sea between Isabela Island and Fernandina Island, Galapagos

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Central America, Belize, Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) and a Brown

Central America, Belize, Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) and a Brown Booby on a mangrove caye

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Magnificent frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens) pair in courtship display

Magnificent frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens) pair in courtship display, male with gular sac inflated, North Seymour Island, Galapagos National Park, Galapagos Islands

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Magnificent Frigatebird, Fregata magnificens

Magnificent Frigatebird, Fregata magnificens

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Illustration of male and female Magnificent frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens) sitting side by side

Illustration of male and female Magnificent frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens) sitting side by side

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Ecuador, Galapagos. A male and female frigate bird soar overhead

Ecuador, Galapagos. A male and female frigate bird soar overhead

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Galapagos Islands, A frigatebird on North Seymour island inflates his red pouch to attract a mate

Galapagos Islands, A frigatebird on North Seymour island inflates his red pouch to attract a mate

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Male Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) with inflated gular sac, North Seymour Island

Male Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) with inflated gular sac, North Seymour Island, Galapagos National Park, Ecuador, South America

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Sunrise near Punta Colorado, San Jose Island, Baja California Sur, Mexico, North America

Sunrise near Punta Colorado, San Jose Island, Baja California Sur, Mexico, North America

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Adult female magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens), San Gabriel Bay, Espiritu Santo Island

Adult female magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens), San Gabriel Bay, Espiritu Santo Island, Baja California Sur, Mexico, North America

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Magnificent frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens), San Gabriel Bay, Espiritu Santo Island

Magnificent frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens), San Gabriel Bay, Espiritu Santo Island, Baja California Sur, Mexico, North America

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Adult male magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens), San Gabriel Bay, Espiritu Santo Island

Adult male magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens), San Gabriel Bay, Espiritu Santo Island, Baja California Sur, Mexico, North America

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens), Halfmoon Caye, Lighthouse Reef Atoll

Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens), Halfmoon Caye, Lighthouse Reef Atoll, Belize, Central America

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera) & Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens), Halfmoon Caye

Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera) & Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens), Halfmoon Caye, Lighthouse Reef Atoll, BELIZE, Central America

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Birds, Whale Watching, Magdalena Bay, Mexico, North America

Birds, Whale Watching, Magdalena Bay, Mexico, North America

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Fregata magnificens, magnificent frigatebird

Fregata magnificens, magnificent frigatebird
Plate 271 from John James Audubons Birds of America, original double elephant folio (1834-35), hand-coloured aquatint. Engraved, printed and coloured by R. Havell (& Son), London

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Adult male great frigatebirds (Fregata minor), Genovesa Island, Galapagos Islands

Adult male great frigatebirds (Fregata minor), Genovesa Island, Galapagos Islands, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ecuador, South America

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens), Punta Pitt, San Cristobal Island

Magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens), Punta Pitt, San Cristobal Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, South America

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Juvenile magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) attacking an Elliots storm petrel

Juvenile magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) attacking an Elliots storm petrel (Oceanites gracilis galapagoensis), Punta Pitt, San Cristobal Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, South America

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Ecuador. A male Magnificent Frigatebird inflates his gular pouch to attract females

Ecuador. A male Magnificent Frigatebird inflates his gular pouch to attract females on North Seymour Island in the Galapagos

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) flying

Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) flying
North America, US, AK, Deep Creek SRA, Redoubt Volcano. Sunset. Across Cook Inlet. Mt. Redoubt bathes in the summer sun

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Magnificent Frigatebird. Female. San Blas Mexico in March

Magnificent Frigatebird. Female. San Blas Mexico in March
JZ-3623 Magnificent Frigatebird. Female San Blas Mexico in March. Fregata magnificens Jim Zipp Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in anyway

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Magnificent Frigatebird. Male. San Blas Mexico in March

Magnificent Frigatebird. Male. San Blas Mexico in March
JZ-3624 Magnificent Frigatebird - Male San Blas Mexico in March Fregata magnificens Jim Zipp Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in anyway

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Magnificent Frigatebirds. San Blas Mexico in March

Magnificent Frigatebirds. San Blas Mexico in March
JZ-3626 Magnificent Frigatebirds San Blas Mexico in March Fregata magnificens Jim Zipp Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in anyway

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Juvenile magnificent frigatebird. (Fregata magnificens). North Seymour Island, Galapagos, Ecuador

Juvenile magnificent frigatebird. (Fregata magnificens). North Seymour Island, Galapagos, Ecuador
David Day / SplashdownDirect

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Head of juvenile magnificent frigatebird. (Fregata magnificens)

Head of juvenile magnificent frigatebird. (Fregata magnificens). North Seymour Island, Galapagos, Ecuador
David Day / SplashdownDirect

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Adult male magnificent frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens) on the wing near breeding colony on Isla

Adult male magnificent frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens) on the wing near breeding colony on Isla Magdalena
Michael Nolan / SplashdownDirect

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Juvenile magnificent frigatebird. (Fregata magnificens). North Seymour Island, Galapagos, Ecuador

Juvenile magnificent frigatebird. (Fregata magnificens). North Seymour Island, Galapagos, Ecuador
David Day / SplashdownDirect

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Frigatebird swooping over beach to eat turtle hatchlings. (Fregata magnificens)

Frigatebird swooping over beach to eat turtle hatchlings. (Fregata magnificens). Bartolom Island, Galapagos
David Day / SplashdownDirect

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Displaying male magnificent frigatebird. (Fregata magnificens)

Displaying male magnificent frigatebird. (Fregata magnificens). North Seymour Island, Galapagos, Ecuador
David Day / SplashdownDirect

Background imageMagnificent Frigatebird Collection: Juvenile great frigate bird (Fregata minor) nesting and breeding site on North Seymour Island in

Juvenile great frigate bird (Fregata minor) nesting and breeding site on North Seymour Island in the Galapagos Island
Michael Nolan / SplashdownDirect




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The magnificent frigatebird, known scientifically as Fregata magnificens, is a sight to behold in the Galapagos Islands. These majestic birds pair up during courtship displays on North Seymour Island, with the male showcasing his inflated gular sac. Their diving skills are equally impressive as they plunge into Borrero Bay in search of fish prey. However, not all interactions are peaceful for these frigatebirds and can be seen attacking blue-footed boobies like Sula nebouxii, displaying their dominance and territorial nature. In flight over the sea between Isabela Island, their graceful wingspan captivates observers. Beyond the Galapagos Islands lies Central America's Belize where these magnificent creatures share the skies with brown pelicans. The contrast of colors creates a stunning visual spectacle against the backdrop of this tropical paradise. Back on North Seymour Island in Ecuador's Galapagos archipelago, male frigatebirds once again display their inflated gular sacs during courtship rituals. This behavior serves to attract females and assert their dominance within their species. In Rabida Island, another gem within the Galapagos Islands, these frigatebirds take flight against vibrant landscapes that showcase nature's beauty at its finest. Their aerial maneuvers leave spectators in awe as they effortlessly navigate through the air currents. These birds' hunting prowess extends beyond fish; they have been observed catching dropped hatchling sea turtles mid-air—an astonishing feat that showcases both skill and opportunism. Halfmoon Caye in Lighthouse Reef Atoll provides yet another breathtaking setting for observing magnificent frigatebirds in action. Against azure waters and pristine beaches, these avian marvels soar gracefully above—truly living up to their name. Whether it be courtship displays or fierce battles for territory and resources, witnessing a magnificent frigatebird is an unforgettable experience wherever you may find yourself along South America's coasts or amidst Central America's rich biodiversity.