Frigatebirds (Fregatidae)

Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) - HBW 1, p. 373

French: Frégate superbe German: Prachtfregattvogel Spanish: Rabihorcado Magnífico

Taxonomy: Fregata minor magnificens Mathews, 1914, Barrington Island, Galapagos Archipelago.
Formerly included in F. aquila and also in F. minor. Possible races magnificens (Galapagos), lowei (Cape Verde) and rothschildi (elsewhere) supposedly separable on length of wing, tail or bill; not generally accepted. Monotypic.

Distribution: Pacific and Atlantic coasts of America, from Baja California to Ecuador, including Galapagos, and from Florida to S Brazil; also relict population on Cape Verde Is, off W Africa.