Chordates • Earth.com

Great frigatebird

(Fregata minor)

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Description

The great frigatebird measures 85 to 105 cm (33 to 41 in) in length and has a wingspan of 205–230 cm (81–91 in).Male great frigatebirds are smaller than females,but the extent of the variation varies geographically.The male birds weigh 1,000–1,450 g (2.20–3.20 lb) while the heavier female birds weigh 1,215–1,590 g (2.679–3.505 lb)Frigatebirds have long narrow pointed wings and a long narrow deeply forked tail.They have the highest ratio of wing area to body mass and the lowest wing loading of any bird.This has been hypothesized to enable the birds to use marine thermals created by small differences between tropical air and water temperatures.The plumage of males is black with scapular feathers that have a green iridescence when they refract sunlight.Females are black with a white throat and breast and have a red eye ring.Juveniles are black with a rust-tinged white face,head,and throat.

Taxonomic tree:

Domain:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum:
Class: Aves
Order:Suliformes
Family:Fregatidae
Genus:Fregata
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