Galápagos 2004 > Galápagos > Birds >
Frigate Birds

Frigate Birds are another very common species. They are large fish-eating birds but they don't secrete any oil to waterproof their wings, so they can't dive into the water for fish. They have to either dip their beak into the water to catch a fish, but most of the time they harass other seabirds who have caught fish. They work in teams to get other birds to either drop or regurgitate their catch. Male frigate birds have a dramatic red pouch underneath their beak.
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The unmistakable outline of a frigate bird in flight with its forked tail.
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A baby frigate bird.
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A young frigate bird flapping his wings so he can use them to fly someday.
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Frigate birds nesting.
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A male frigate bird signaling that he is ready for mating with his pouch fully inflated. He can't eat for the week or so the pouch is inflated for fear of tearing it.
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On to Penguins

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