Great Frigatebird Overview
The great frigatebird, called 'iwa in the Hawaiian language, is a large seabird with long pointed wings and a deeply forked tail. It is common in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, where it nests, and some birds roost on Moku Manu off Oahu.
Great frigatebirds have wingspans of about 90 inches, giving them a dramatic shape in flight. They often glide high above the ocean, using wind and lift instead of constant flapping. Their silhouette alone can make them easy to recognize once you know the long wings and forked tail.
Markings and Nesting
Adult males are mostly black and have an inflatable red throat pouch used during courtship. Females are also mostly black, but they have a white breast and throat. Breeding season usually runs from March to May.
A typical nest is built from sticks in shrubs or low trees, and one egg is usually laid. In Hawaii's seabird group, the great frigatebird pairs well with ocean birds such as the Laysan albatross, red-billed tropicbird and wedge-tailed shearwater.
