North American frigatebird (SciiFii)

The North American frigatebird (Fregata americanum) is a species of seabird of the frigatebird family Fregatidae that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the coastlines across North America to help boost biodiversity. With a length of 89–114 centimetres (35–45 inches) and wingspan of 2.17–2.44 meters (7.1–8.0 feet) the North American frigatebird is one of the largest species of frigatebird. The North American frigatebird is a large, lightly built seabird with deep black plumage, long narrow wings and a deeply forked tail. The male has a striking reddish-orange gular sac which he inflates to attract a mate. The female is slightly larger than the male and has a white breast and belly. The North American frigatebird spends days and nights on the wing, with an average ground speed of 10 km/h (6.2 mph), covering up to 223 km (139 mi) before landing. They alternately climb in thermals, to altitudes occasionally as high as 2,500 m (8,200 ft), and descend to near the sea surface. North American frigatebirds feed on fish taken in flight from the ocean's surface (including flying fish), along with squid, jellyfish, and crustaceans, and sometimes indulge in kleptoparasitism, harassing other birds to force them to regurgitate their food. Individual bird diets vary depending on food availability and preferred hunting technique. This bird makes a shallow platform nest on top of both trees and bushes on islands and cays with mangroves. This nest is constructed out of branches and twigs. The North American frigatebird lays a clutch of between one and three clear white eggs that measure 68 by 47 millimetres (2.7 by 1.9 in) on average. These eggs are incubated by both sexes for a period of 50 to 60 days. After the eggs hatch, the male parent will abandon them, with the female staying to provision for the young for almost a year. The conservation status of the North American frigatebird is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the North American frigatebird's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii