“Frigatebirds, seagoing fliers with a 6-foot wingspan, can stay aloft for weeks at a time, a new study has found.
“The results paint an astonishing picture of the bird’s life, much of which is spent soaring inside the clouds.
“Frigatebirds are unique among aquatic birds. Their feathers are not waterproof, so they can’t rest on the waves.
“Males sport a vivid red pouch along their throats that they inflate when trying to attract females. They’re known for stealing food from other seabirds.
“Since the frigatebird spends most of its life at sea, its habits outside of when it breeds on land aren’t well-known — until researchers started tracking them around the Indian Ocean.
“What the researchers discovered is that the birds’ flying ability almost defies belief.”
Read more at NPR
