Monotypic

Female Magnificent Frigatebird looking for galley scraps at sea in the Galapagos Islands. Photo copyright of Angus Wilson©, 1992.
 

Identification

Howell (1994) has published a very detailed review of the relatively difficult separation of juvenile and adult Magnificant and Great Frigatebirds.
 

Where and When

Occurs on both coasts of the Americas from Mexico, the Gulf of Mexico, Florida to northern South America.

Click here to view a range map for the Caribbean and central America.
 

Photographs on the web

Series of adults Taken in May at the Rebecca Shoales, Florida by Jerry R. Oldenettel.
 
 

Literature

Howell, S.N.G. (1994) Magnificent and Great Frigatebirds in the eastern Pacific: a new look at an old problem. Birding 26(6): p400-415.