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A large black seabird that holds its wings in a distinctive crook.
Not listed
Indigenous: Man-O'-War Hawk, Great Frigate-Bird, Greater Frigate-Bird, Frigate-Bird, Man-O'-War Bird, Sea Hawk
At a glance
FamilyFrigatebirds
SizeGiant
RarityUncommon
HabitatClosed forest, Open woodland, Shrubland, Sparse woodland, and Waterbodies
Best timeMost reliable in Queensland from October to November.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by AUDEVARD Aurélien
Range map
Range map
273visible hotspots
3467visible records
3states
SparseModerateDense hotspot
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
The long, forked tail may appear pointed when folded. Males are all black with a red throat pouch. Females have a white breast. Immatures have a white head and breast. All-dark plumage of male and lack of a pale “armpit” in female and immature separate this species from Lesser and Christmas Island Frigatebirds. Separation from Magnificent Frigatebird can be difficult; note pale wing panel in males and indistinct pale throat in females (Magnificent females have a clean all-dark head). Chases other seabirds to steal their prey.
Behavior
Nests in trees and bushes on tropical islands. Often seen flying along the shoreline, sometimes very high, and sometimes inland.
Gallery