Another name for Fregata minor is Great frigatebird.

Geographic Regions

The Great frigatebird is found all over the world in regions with tropical waters. These area are generally within 25 degrees to the north and 25 degrees to the south. Nesting is done in colonies, just as other varieties of frigatebirds. The tropical pacific is the most commonly known home for these birds. The nests are found in offshore areas of this ocean.

Habitat

The nests of these birds are mainly found in offshore areas in tropical areas within the pacific. Males and females share nests only during the breeding seasons. The loading characteristics have a major influence on the breeding season. They nature of winds also determine where the nests will be built.

When they are not breeding, great frigatebirds like roaming widely within the sea in search of prey. They are well adapted to convergences and divergences of the sea. Their nests are mainly to be found in shrubs and trees. Some of the trees used by this bird are naupaka, pisonia, mangroves and beach heliotrope. These nests are always 0.5 meters about the earth’s surface.

The Great frigatebirds are very good at soaring and therefore do not need to come ashore in order to roost. They can soar for very long periods of time, they can even soar overnight. Generally, these birds are to be found in marine, tropical and saltwater habitats.

Breeding and mating systems

In every region, breeding takes place seasonally. Most breeding instances are recorded between December and September. The female bird lays only one egg in a season. The male bird takes seven years to reach sexual maturity.

In terms of mating patterns, Great frigatebirds are monogamous. It is also common to come across extra-pair copulations. Males will often try to mate with already mated females whenever their partners are not present. Courtship displays are similar to those of all other frigatebirds, whereby the gular sac is inflated and the bill knocked against it in order to produce a drumming sound.

On average, Great frigatebirds will breed only once in two years. Some females breed less often. Males can occasionally breed annually. The timing of the breeding season varies depending on many factors, including availability of food. Once the mated pair has been formed, one of the parents has to remain in the nest until the nestling reaches 6 weeks. In most cases, it is the responsibility of both parents to incubate the eggs and brood all nestlings. In most cases, the parents will take turns to incubate the eggs, mostly between three and eighteen days at any given time.

Typical lifespan

There is very scanty data on longevity of Great frigatebirds. The longest lifespan ever recorded among members of Fregata minor is 37 years. On the maximum, scientists believe this bird can hit the 40-year mark. Many Great frigatebirds live for between 25 and 30 years.

Different studies have shown that success rates of eggs can be as high as 70 % of all the eggs that are laid in one year. During harsh years when there are Elnino conditions or lack of enough food, the success rates can be as low as 30% of all the eggs laid in one year.