Ascension Frigatebird
Fregata aquila
The Ascension Frigatebird is a rare and occasional visitor to British shores, typically seen in the summer months and often associated with warm oceanic currents and remote islands. Sightings in Britain are extremely rare, with most records coming from the western coastlines and islands.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Ascension Frigatebird in the field.
The Ascension Frigatebird can be identified by its distinctive forked tail, long pointed wings, and a glossy black plumage with a purple sheen. Its large size and striking underwing pattern, with a pale bar on the axillaries, are also key distinguishing features.
The Ascension Frigatebird is larger than a Herring Gull, with a wingspan of up to 2.5 metres, making it a formidable and impressive sight in the sky.
The male Ascension Frigatebird has a glossy black plumage with a purple sheen, and a distinctive red throat patch that is inflated during courtship displays.
Similar to the male, but with a slightly duller sheen and a less vibrant red throat patch, the female Ascension Frigatebird is nearly indistinguishable from the male outside of breeding season.
The Ascension Frigatebird's call is a loud, sharp "kleek" or "krek", often repeated in a series of high-pitched notes.
Ascension Frigatebirds are skilled aerial predators, feeding on fish, squid, and crustaceans by swooping and diving from great heights, and are known for their agile and swift flight.
The Ascension Frigatebird can be confused with the Great Frigatebird, but can be distinguished by its smaller size, more slender wings, and the presence of a pale bar on the axillaries, which is absent in the Great Frigatebird.
Quick Facts
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