Why is this animal unusual?
It has the largest wings, compared to its body weight, of any bird. Its whole skeleton weighs less than its feathers. That lets it stay in the air for weeks without landing.
Why does it look like that?
Black, with long narrow wings and a deeply forked tail. The male’s red throat pouch takes about 20 minutes to inflate fully.
Strangest biological feature
It can sleep while flying, resting one half of its brain at a time.
Why is it strange?
Its feathers aren’t waterproof. If a frigatebird lands on the sea, it gets waterlogged and may drown. So it snatches fish from the surface without ever touching down.
Interesting behavioral facts
It chases other seabirds and harasses them until they throw up their catch – then grabs the meal before it hits the water.
Records held
The chick depends on its mother for more than a year – among the longest childhoods of any bird.
