Birds and Birding's Guide to:

Watching THE STORK-LIKE BIRDS

THE FRIGATE-BIRDS (Family Fregatida)

Frigate Bird Throat Pouch

"The throat-pouch of the male is a most striking object. When fully distended it reaches forward as far as the end of the bill and downwards so as to completely hide the breast, — a great smooth semi-transparent balloon of the most brilliant scarlet, which contrasts finely with the dark metallic tints of the plumage.

If any of the birds in a group had their pouches distended, there were generally several in this condition, as though they were vying with one another in the exhibition of their attractions. From several parts of the group came a low, vibrating note, a combination of a whistle and a purr, accompanied by the sound of the chattering of their bills. While uttering this note the bird leans back on the nest, with the head thrown right back, the pouch fully extended, and the wings half spread and shaken with a quivering movement. The female birds meanwhile were either whirling overhead or sitting on the edge of the nest near their admirers.

“The pouch is not rapidly filled or emptied; when a bird with a half-distended pouch takes flight, the latter is carried from side to side with the movement through the air, gradually diminishing in size. In the undistended state the bare, wrinkled skin is completely retracted to the level of the general contour of the neck. The interior of the pouch is in communication with the air sacs of the neck; it is therefore filled and emptied through the bronchi.

“By far the greater number of nests on Phcenix Island contained a single white egg about as large as a hen's; some nests, however, contained two eggs.”Mr. Lister also mentions seeing the Frigate-birds drinking from the fresh-water lagoons. As they came”sweeping down to the surface, they scooped up the water with the lower mandible."

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