Scientific Name: Fregata andrewsi
Malay Name: Simbang Pulau Natal
Chinese Name: 白腹军舰鸟
Range: Breeds on Christmas Island with non-breeder wanders widely across the seas of Southeast Asia to Indochina and south to northern Australia
Taxonomy: Monotypic.
Size: 92-102 cm
Identification: Male has overall blackish plumage with contrasting white belly patch and red gular pouch. Female has black hood with white on the rest of underparts and black bar extending from base of forewing to side of breast. Juvenile resembles female but has rufous to brownish white head and black breast-band.
Similar looking species: Lesser Frigatebird
Habitat: Open seas, islets and occasionally stray inland.
Behaviour/Ecology: Typically seen soaring aimlessly in small groups, often following ships.
Local Status: Visitor
Conservation Status: Vulnerable (BirdLife International 2022)
- Checklist Revision for February 2022 (Revisions)
- Bird List Revision for September 2021 – Special Edition (Revisions)
- Checklist Revision for August 2022 (Revisions)
- Checklist Revision for June 2023 (Revisions)
Featured reports: May 2023
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Christmas Island Frigatebird)
References:
BirdLife International. (2022). Fregata andrewsi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T22697742A210923623.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023
Jeyarajasingam, A., & Pearson, A. (2012). A Field Guide to the Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Oxford University Press.
Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.
RECOMMENDED CITATION
Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Christmas Frigatebird. Retrieved on June 14, 2025 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/christmas-frigatebird.