Description:-

This small frigatebird measures 66–81 cm in length with a wingspan of 155–193 cm and long forked tails. Male has a large red sac on the front of the throat which is inflated during courtshipThe male is mostly all black save for a white patch on the flank which extends on to the underwing as a spur. Males also have a pale bar on the upper wing. Females have a black head and neck with a white collar and breast as well as a spur extending on to the underwing. The female also has a narrow red ring around the eye. Juveniles and immature birds are more difficult to differentiate but the presence of the spurs of white in the armpits is a helpful distinguishing sign.

Threats:-

Not recorded

Remark:-

It is the smallest species of frigatebirds. Recorded from Kerala by Sashikumar et al. (2011).

Habitat:-

Pelagic, occurring over tropical and subtropical waters across the Indian and Pacific Oceans as well as off the Atlantic coast. The lesser frigatebird (Fregata ariel) is a seabird of the frigatebird family Fregatidae.

Synonyms:-

References:-

BirdLife International (2015) Species factsheet: Fregata minor. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 11/02/2015.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesser_frigatebird
Sashikumar,C., Praveen, J. Palot, M.J., Nameer, P.O. 2011. Birds of Kerala: status and distribution. DC Books, Kottayam. Pp. 590–593