Great Ffigatebird ( Fregata minor ) 
Current Status : Probably resident, breeds annually. 
Prior Records : Specimens were collected on Lisianski by Isenbeck in 1828 
where the species was numerous and many eggs were found in loosely constructed 
nests of twigs placed on the bushes (Kittlitz, ojd. cit . ). Palmer and 
Munro found Tf large numbers ... their nests on the scrub around the lake,” 
in late June 1891 (Rothschild, og. cit . ). On this trip Munro (op. cit . ) 
reports that he saw an adult land in very calm water and take off again 
without any trouble. Bailey (195*0 found this the most numerous nesting 
species when he visited Lisianski in March 1913* 
Munter (op. cit .) found three separate colonies on Lisianski in March 
1915. He noted that they nested where ever there was sufficient shrubby 
Vegetation. A colony of about 1000 birds was found at the north end of the 
island, a second of about 1200 birds on the northeast shore, and a third 
near the shacks in the central part of the island contained about 800 birds. 
Other birds roosted on dead or dying bushes along the beach. The total 
number on the island ”wou/d not exceed 5500 .” 
In May 1923 Wetmore (unpub. notes, 1923) found about 80 pairs nesting 
with eggs, and another 500 or so roosting on the island. The eggs were 
laid in the crowns of the few remaining clumps of bunchgrass. 
j 
An estimated *4-00 birds were found.by Richardson (pers. comm.) in March 
1954. 
Population : Large numbers of roosting birds have been found on every P0BSP 
visit to the island. An estimated 1000 adults were found in March 1963* an & 
egg-laying had begun. In March 1964 an estimated 1750 adults had about 
, • / . ■ .. , / 
36 O eggs. In August 1964 the survey team reported great numbers aloft over 
