The Habitat of the Frigate Bird

Frigate birds are a species of pelican. They have long wings that can stretch to 7 1/2 feet. Five species of frigate birds exist worldwide, including the magnificent frigate bird and the great frigate bird. These two species have similar habitat needs, but their ranges differ. In some regions they live side by side. The Galapagos Islands is one of the habitats where they both live.

  1. Habitat

    • The natural habitats of the frigate bird are coastal and pelagic regions of subtropical and tropical oceans. They choose breeding grounds on secluded islands or coastal regions with mangrove trees. According to the Greenpeace website, frigate birds depend on the mangrove trees for shelter and food. Their habitat distribution is described as pantropical marine, meaning living near the Equator.

    Magnificent Frigate Bird Habitat

    • The magnificent frigate bird makes its home along the coasts of the Americas and in the Caribbean. The population of magnificent frigate birds on the Galapagos Islands is "considered to be an endemic subspecies," according to the Animal Corner website. There, it lives alongside the great frigate bird. The magnificent frigate bird also lives in coastal regions of Florida during the breeding season. They're found during the non-breeding season from coastal Florida up to North Carolina and as far west as Texas.

    Great Frigate Bird Habitat

    • The great frigate bird has a larger global distribution than the magnificent frigate bird. It lives in various habitats along the tropical Indian and Pacific oceans. One of its large populations is on Eastern Island at the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, with 878 pairs observed in 2006, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website.

    Frigate Birds on the Galapagos Islands

    • The Galapagos are volcanic islands. According to the Galapagos Islands website, animal and plants traveled 620 miles from South America to inhabit the islands. The distance between islands left species evolving apart. Frigate birds can be found on Floreana, Isabela, Genovesa and North Seymour. They also favor the freshwater lake El Junco on San Cristobal Island. Magnificent frigate birds are seen more in the air than great frigate birds, while great frigate birds often forage in the open seas.

    Other Species in Their Habitat

    • Many bird species breed among frigate birds. These species include cormorants, shearwaters, petrels, pelicans, terns and noddies, gulls and the red-footed booby. Frigate birds fly very well with exceptional control because of their long wings and proportionately small body weight. This makes it easy for them to steal prey from other birds. They take hold of the tail feathers of other birds, shake them and take the food when it is regurgitated.