The frigate bird and vacationers are both drawn to island of Barbuda by the beautiful weather, including the low humidity, steady trade winds, and pleasant temperatures. This beautiful tropical island, known for its pink-sand beaches and sunny days, is haven for beachcombers and the graceful bird known as Fregata magnificens.

Along with time spent exploring the Frigate Bird Sanctuary Barbuda, you can easily head to Codrington, the island's main city. Here, you'll find an array of restaurants and places to enjoy watersports such as snorkeling, swimming, and diving.

When you add birdwatching to your Barbuda vacations, you'll be rewarded for your time and effort. The beautiful and majestic frigate bird is easy to spot, especially on the northwestern lagoons, home to the bird sanctuary on Barbuda. The large birds are hard to miss, with their wide wingspan, jet-black feathers, and distinctive red throat on the male. During courtship time in the fall, the male can inflate this ruby throat patch to attract the attention of the ladies. Chicks usually hatch from their nests in the mangrove trees before the first of the year.

Antigua Map

The frigate bird, which also congregates on on the Galapagos Islands, looks nothing like the little sparrows that appear at your backyard feeders—they've been nicknamed the man o' war bird owing to their resemblance to warships and propensity to steal dinner from other birds.

Many birdwatchers begin their trips to the Frigate Bird Sanctuary Barbuda from bigger island of Antigua. Flights to the smaller, laid-back island take about 20 minutes, while a ferry ride takes about 90 minutes. Other vacationers already staying in Barbuda can arrange transportation through their hotels. No matter how they arrive, visitors to this bird sanctuary on Barbuda will find some amazing things to see and photograph.

Even though the Frigate Bird Sanctuary is named after one particular species of bird, it's actually home to nearly 200 different feathered friends. One of the largest bird sanctuaries anywhere is a fascinating place to explore. Even if birdwatching isn't one of your favorite activities, the chance to soak in the scenery, warm breezes, and amazing slice of nature is worth some time on your vacation. Along the way, you'll have the chance to see a whole array of feathered friends, including cormorants, egrets, whistling ducks, and Barbuda warblers.

Birdwatching and hiking are fast becoming one of the more popular things to do on the island. While a network of trails is just now being established, the bird sanctuary on Barbuda is one of the first places people look for an exhilarating workout or a leisurely stroll. The pink- and white-sand beaches are the best place to walk through the birds' home base.

The best place to look for frigate birds is up in the skies. The combination of their wingspan, light weight, and constant winds means that the birds spend most of their time soaring well above the ground. You'll be in for quite a show at the Frigate Bird Sanctuary Barbuda as the birds dip below the horizon, fly in circles, and steal their supper from other birds in flight.

Whether you're doing some outdoor dining or spending time on the beach, chances are good you'll spot some of the endangered birds that are thriving on this small Caribbean island. If you're able, keep your cameras ready; the pictures will look quite amazing once your back home among the sparrows, robins, and other familiar birds.