Maui Snorkeling Trips

Photo Courtesy NOAA

The Frigate Bird was called `Iwa, meaning thief, by the ancient Hawaiians.  They watched and learned about all living things and knew this bird was very good at bullying other seabirds enough they would drop their meal and the frigate bird would swoop down and take it.  But, it wasn’t always freshly caught prey.  These birds know if they scare the other sea bird enough they will disgorge.  (eeewww!)  They are also seen catching flying fish when they leave the water.

According to Hawaiian language expert, Mary Pukui, the frigate was also called the man-of-war bird.   The name `Iwa (said ‘eeva’) was used for a handsome person who held attention with their presence, and the same name was used for a native fern whose stems were used for hat making.

The frigate bird can grow to an impressive 7.5 feet across, females being larger than males for most global populations.  They also have the highest ratio of wing to body mass and are very light, for a large bird, weighing in at four pounds or less.  According to studies, the frigate has a wide distribution over tropical seas, but Hawaii is the northernmost area they are seen in.  There are more than 10,000 nesting pairs in the Northwestern chain, and others have chosen Molokini off Maui as a place to nest.  Molokini is a ‘tuff’ cone, or vent for Haleakala (a dormant volcano on Maui), and a protected marine reserve.  Males have a scarlet chest, which they expand enormously during courtship, and the female has a very white chest.  Nesting period seems to be summertime through to December on Molokini.  There the birds are seen in great numbers.

If you are planning a trip to Hawaii, and Maui in particular, please plan on a snorkeling trip to Molokini where you will be able to witness, first hand, the massive frigate bird in silent flight overhead.  This is a site you will never forget!

You must be logged in to post a comment.