The Magnificent Frigatebird is found on the Atlantic coasts of North and South America largely within the tropics. They are also found off the coast off West Africa around the Cape Verde Islands. See the distribution map at Birdlife International.

The male, as in photos 1, 3 and 4, is all black and his bright red throat pouch is usually hidden unless it has been inflated for its mating displays. The female has a white breast band while juveniles, as in the second photo have the white breast band and a white head.