"Scores", Southport, Sep 1935 however, the report seems to be for an entire month, so a daily count was not made. Peak counts: 3, Nags Head, 3, 30 miles off Hatteras, 3, Sunset Beach ( Brunswick). The passage of Tropical Storm Ana around provided at least three records along the coast from 9-, and there were at least two additional records later in the month. Mainly early May to Aug, less so through Sep two records for early Dec, one for late Dec - photographed in flight over Pea Island NWR on and a remarkable one for midwinter - over Oregon Inlet (Pearson et al., 1942). Rare but regular (usually several reports annually) along the coast, more frequently seen along the southern coast. Nonbreeding visitor, almost always in flight over the immediate coast or over estuaries seldom seen perched. Though some records are clearly related to the presence of hurricanes and tropical storms, the majority do not seem to have been storm-related, and birds likely arrived on strong southerly winds during periods of hot weather. Probably over 95% of the state's records involve birds within a mile of the coastline it is quite scarce out of sight of land, and is casual inland (and almost always after a tropical storm or hurricane). Unfortunately, because they seldom perch except for resting/sleeping at night, it is difficult for birders to track down a bird that was seen earlier in the day or the day before, despite the large size and conspicuous nature of a frigatebird. Despite it being numerous in much of southern Florida, it is a scarce visitor to the coastal waters of North Carolina, typically during the warmer months. The Magnificent Frigatebird is a common coastal bird of subtropical and tropical waters around the world and is always a delight to watch hanging into the wind, almost as if a weather vane. The chicks spend one whole year with the parents before reaching independence.Magnificent Frigatebird - Fregata magnificens They mate once a year on the cold season creating big colonies and lay one egg that would hatch after 50 days. ![]() They build a nest in a tree and compete with other males for the biggest, safest and strongest nest along with the brightest most long lasting throat pouch. They have the famous courtship ritual in which males inflate their red chest globes in order to attract females. They can never land on water and they can spend more than one week hanging on the wind currents up in the sky. Their bones are filled with air making them very light, they barely need to move their wings when flying high and are the most efficient flyers of all. This bird does not need much food to survive they have also adapted to use less amount of energy, in order to need the less amount of food. Also found around pelicans and fishing boats in search of any leftover. In the Galapagos, they are commonly seen after blue-footed boobies who they chase to a point of stress until they vomit, or they will be grabbed by the tail sand shaking them. ![]() So they became really good on chasing birds, catching leftovers and pushing birds to vomit in order to feed themselves. As it is not waterproof, it had to adapt to feeding in ways that wouldn’t need entering the water to catch fish. This bird is well known for its ability to steal food. The Galapagos Magnificent is considered endemic subspecies to the archipelago. The Magnificent is the biggest species of frigate bird, distinct from the other by lacking a white axillary spur, and have a purple sheen on the scapular feathers. They have a green sheen on the scapular feathers and have a white collar on the neck. The Great frigate bird is also found in other pacific regions and the Indian Ocean and tends to forage far out in the sea to avoid competition. ![]() There are two species in the Galapagos: the Magnificent and the Great frigate bird. The frigatebird is widely spread on the coasts of South America.
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