Magnificent Frigatebird nest, adult & chick, North Seymour, Galapagos

North Seymour Island, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador (August 2023)

This image was taken during the Gems of Galapagos trip organised by Natures Images and led by Mark Sisson and Pablo Cersosimo (Wild South Photography). An eight-day cruise was undertaken aboard the catamaran Nemo II following the south itinerary:

Day 1 Baltra (midday start), North Seymour (pm)
Day 2 San Cristobal: Lobos Island - Kicker Rock (am), Brujo Hill (pm)
Day 3 Floreana: Champion Islet - Cormorant Point (am), Post Office Bay - The Baroness Viewpoint (pm)
Day 4 Espanola: Osborn Islet - Gardner Island - Gardner Bay (am), Suarez Point (pm)
Day 5 Santa Cruz: Highlands (am), Charles Darwin Station (pm)
Day 6 South Plaza (am), Santa Fe (pm)
Day 7 Bartolome (am), Chinese Hat (pm)
Day 8 Daphne Major - Baltra (8:30 am end)

Status is classified as Least Concern. Magnificent Frigatebird is difficult to distinguish from Great Frigatebird. In this case, the adult female has the blue eyering of the Magnificent rather than the red of the Great. North Seymour is known to be home to the largest colony of Magnificent Frigatebirds in the Galapagos. For more information on this species of bird see the following links:
Magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) / Wikipedia
Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens / BirdForum
Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens / BirdLife International
Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Shooting Time 17:46
Tv(Shutter Speed) 1/1600
Av(Aperture Value) 4.5
Exposure Compensation -1/3
ISO Speed 800

Latitude 00 23 53.4 S
Longitude 90 17 30.7 W
Altitude 0.60m