Photo: Francesco Veronesi from Italy / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Christmas Frigatebird
Fregata andrewsi
Christmas Frigatebird (Fregata andrewsi) — Seabirds & Tubenoses of Oceans & Seabirds.
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The Christmas Frigatebird (Fregata andrewsi) is a member of the Fregatidae family found in Oceans & Seabirds. Adults weigh 1.5 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Suliformes
- Family Fregatidae Frigatebirds
- Genus Fregata
- Species andrewsi
Quick facts
- Weight
- 1.5 kg
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Fregatidae
- Order
- Suliformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Christmas 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 Christmas Frigatebird is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The Christmas Frigatebird (Fregata andrewsi) is a member of the Fregatidae family, within the order Suliformes. It is found across Oceans & Seabirds. Its distribution covers IO Christmas I. (s of w Java).
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1.5 kg, with a wing length of about 61.9 cm and a tail of around 40.2 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 2 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Christmas Frigatebird?
The Christmas Frigatebird is a very large bird that weighs around 1.5 kg.
Where does the Christmas Frigatebird live?
The Christmas Frigatebird is found across Oceans & Seabirds with a range covering IO Christmas I. (s of w Java), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Christmas Frigatebird belong to?
The Christmas Frigatebird (Fregata andrewsi) belongs to the Fregatidae family, in the order Suliformes.
What does the Christmas Frigatebird eat?
The Christmas Frigatebird hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Christmas Frigatebird migrate?
The Christmas Frigatebird is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
Is the Christmas Frigatebird endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
How large is the Christmas Frigatebird's range?
The Christmas Frigatebird has a mapped global range of about 2 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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