frigate bird

A great frigate bird, flying over Hawaii, USA.

Five species of marine birds belonging to the family Fregatidae, order Pelecaniformes, natives of the tropics. They are black, strongly tinged with brown, with a scarlet pouch. Frigate birds are large, with long tails and wings, and a long hooked beak. They are essentially seabirds, and only come to land during the breeding season. Their chief food is fish.

Frigate birds often seize prey from other birds while in the air. They have an incredible flying ability, owing to their wingspan of over 2 m/6.5 ft with less than 2 kg/4 lb of bodyweight to support.