Breeding distribution and status of Great Frigatebird Fregata minor in Chile

Abstract

Summary. We clarify the breeding status of Great Frigatebird Fregata minor in Chile, and describe the discovery of a new breeding colony at the Islas Desventuradas, which becomes the species' south-easternmost outpost in the Pacific. However, recent suggestions that it breeds on Rapa Nui appear to be unconfirmed, and there are no records at all for the Juan Fernández archipelago. Based on currently available data, in Chile the species breeds in August–September and December–January, with some minor fluctuations in egg laying. Based on published and unpublished accounts, we estimate c.200–300 breeding pairs in Chile, with the largest population and main breeding site at Isla Salas y Gómez, and a small population far to the east on Islote González in the Islas Desventuradas.