February 5, 2023

I am a male Magnificent Frigatebird,

I'll chase and harass other birds till they puke

I'll then catch their last meal before it hits ground

Easy with fish, but much harder with soup.  

Location: Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, Centennial Trail

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Magnificent_Frigatebird/overview

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 24, 2020

Location: Sebastian Inlet State Park

I am a male Magnificent Frigatebird
You know I'm male cause you can see my gular sac
I inflate my sac when I'm looking for love
And all the girl birds are gobsmacked.

Sources: Cornell Lab All About Birds - Magnificent Frigatebird

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

October 9, 2017

Location: Garden Key, Dry Tortugas

I am a female Magnificent Frigatebird,
Formerly known as a Man-O-War,
I feed my young for over a year,
While my mate breeds with someone else, that cur!

Sources: Cornell Lab - Magnificent Frigatebird

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson