A frigatebird (Fig1) was found in a house-compound near Sreekantapuram (about 30 km away from the shore), Kannur district on 14 July 2019. The bird was very weak and was not able to stand on its own. Informed by the officials of the Kerala Forests & Wildlife Department, our rescuer Sreejith Harvest received the bird for rehabilitation. As the bird was found to be dehydrated, saline intravenous drip was administered. The bird was heavily infested with exoparasites like lice and so, its feathers were cleaned using cotton dipped in anti-parasitic liquid (Cypermetherin). The bird was found dead next morning. Postmortem of the bird was conducted in the presence of the forest officials and the body of the bird was sent to Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghats Field Research Centre, Kozhikode for preservation.
After discussing with Dipu Karuthedathu, C. Sashikumar, and Sathyan Meppayur, the bird was identified as a female of Great Frigate Fregata minor. Dirty white throat, white breast, red eye ring etc. were the main diagnostic features pointing to this species (James, 2004). The measurements of the bird (Fig2) also supported this. Because of extended range and overall large population size, this species is considered Least Concern (BirdLife International, 2018).
Though the pelagic birds are able to overcome and survive strong winds and storm, during South West monsoon some of them get exhausted and disoriented and are blown inland. Many of these recover after proper rest, but some succumb to the fatigue, as in the present case.
References
- James, D. J. (2004). Identification of Christmas Island, Great and Lesser Frigatebirds. Birding Asia, 1, 22–38.
- BirdLife International. (2018). Fregata minor. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22697733A132598124. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22697733A132598124.en. Downloaded on 14 August 2019.