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Species Description
The Magnificent Frigatebird is an acrobatic seabird that only come to land to breed. It captures fish and squid by skimming them from the surface of the water with its hooked beak but is also known for harassing other birds into dropping their food which the Frigatebird will then catch in the air. It is the only sexually dimorphic species of seabird. During the breeding season the males will find a suitable nest site from which they perform elaborate displays to attract females. The males have a bright red throat pouch that they blow up with air like a balloon. They then tilt their heads back, make clacking noises with their beaks, vibrate their outstretched wings and wave their throat pouches while the females fly overhead. Females usually lay only one egg. The eggs take 50 days to hatch and both parents take turns feeding the nestling until is 12 weeks old at which time the male leaves. The female will continue to feed and care for the young for up to a year after hatching.