Photo: Aviceda at English Wikipedia (Original text: Tom Tarrant) / CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Lesser Frigatebird
Fregata ariel
Lesser Frigatebird (Fregata ariel) — Seabirds & Tubenoses of Oceans & Seabirds.
Found across 10 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Lesser Frigatebird (Fregata ariel) is a member of the Fregatidae family found in Oceans & Seabirds. Adults weigh 804 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Suliformes
- Family Fregatidae Frigatebirds
- Genus Fregata
- Species ariel
Where it lives
TrO widespread, tropical Indian and Pacific ocean is., also northwestern South Atlantic
Quick facts
- Weight
- 804 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Fregatidae
- Order
- Suliformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Lesser Frigatebird hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of open sea and coastal waters, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Lesser Frigatebird is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The Lesser Frigatebird (Fregata ariel) belongs to the Fregatidae family of the order Suliformes. It is found across Oceans & Seabirds. Its distribution covers TrO widespread, tropical Indian and Pacific ocean is., also nw South Atlantic.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 804 g, with a wing length of about 51.3 cm and a tail of around 27.7 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 94.7 million km² — a very large global range.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Lesser Frigatebird?
The Lesser Frigatebird is a large bird that weighs around 804 g.
Where does the Lesser Frigatebird live?
The Lesser Frigatebird is found across Oceans & Seabirds with a range covering TrO widespread, tropical Indian and Pacific ocean is., also nw South Atlantic, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Lesser Frigatebird belong to?
The Lesser Frigatebird (Fregata ariel) belongs to the Fregatidae family, in the order Suliformes.
What does the Lesser Frigatebird eat?
The Lesser Frigatebird hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Lesser Frigatebird migrate?
The Lesser Frigatebird is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
Is the Lesser Frigatebird endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the Lesser Frigatebird's range?
The Lesser Frigatebird has a mapped global range of about 94.7 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Fregatidae
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Seabirds & Tubenoses
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Vulnerable