The Frigata andrewsi (scientific name) or Christmas island frigatebird is found only on the Christmas Island, in the Indian Ocean. 25-40 inches in height, this bird has glossy black feathers overall, except for the white patch on its belly. It also has a forked tail. The male has a red gular pouch below its beak, which it inflates in order to attract the female. Males and females vary slightly in appearance. These birds are meat-eaters. Their diet mainly is comprised of fish, mollusks and even small sea turtles. Breeding takes place every 2 years, with the female laying a single egg, incubated for over 40 days. They are well known for kleptoparasitism, meaning they terrorize other birds into regurgitating their meal. Its IUCN listing is CRITICALLY ENDANGERED.
Christmas Island Frigatebird
