Britannica
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How do frigate birds court potential mates?
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Pelecaniform
European white pelicans (Pelecanus onocrotalus) in flight.
To court potential mates, male frigate birds perform a specialized "rattling" display. During this process, the male selects a nest site and engages in the following behaviors to attract passing females:1
- Throat Inflation: The male inflates his bare-skinned gular (throat) sac, which turns a bright red color and can expand to the size of a person's head.12
- Posturing: He leans back on his tail and extends his wings along the ground.1
- Vocalization and Movement: With his bill pointed vertically, the male throbs his inflated sac, vibrates his wings, and claps his bill.1
This rattling display is also used by established pairs as a recognition signal when one bird returns to the nest. Once a pair-bond is formed, the birds reinforce their relationship through joint activities such as nest building, nest defense, and mutual preening.1