Magnificent Frigatebirds are just that, magnificent fliers.
Male
They have the largest wingspan (7 feet) to body weight ratio of all flying birds which affords them great soaring ability.
Males have a red throat pouch which they can inflate to try to impress the females.
Females have a black head and a white belly and frigates are actually the only seabird where the males and females look strikingly different.
This species is unique among aquatic birds as their feathers are not waterproof, so they can't rest on the waves and would drown in short order.
Juveniles have a white head and belly
New studies and radio-tracking show that they can stay aloft for weeks at a time soaring up to 40 miles without a wing-flap.
They can fly to heights of 12,000 feet, higher than any other bird relative to the sea surface and they are the only bird known to intentionally enter huge, fluffy, white cumulus clouds to conserve energy as they soar.
Scratch that itch!
All three: Female on the left, two juveniles in the middle and males on the right
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