AKP Phnom Penh, June 30, 2026-—

The Lesser Frigatebird (Fregata ariel), a rare seabird species, has been sighted across the maritime territories and select islands of Preah Sihanouk province, according to Cambodia's Ministry of Environment.

H.E. Sam Inn, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Environment, confirmed via social media on Tuesday that the migratory species is highly elusive in Cambodian waters, typically observed strictly over open sea surfaces and remote coastal islands.

The species is currently classified under the "Least Concern" category on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, standing between 71 and 81 centimeters in height.

According to environmental officials, the Lesser Frigatebird exhibits striking sexual dimorphism and distinct juvenile traits:

Adult Males: Feature an almost entirely black body, accented by a distinctive white patch extending from the armpit to the underwing.
Adult Females: Possess a black head and collar with a white breast, extending a white spur into the underwing axillaries.
Juveniles: Display a variable head colour ranging from rusty rufous to pale gray, a black breast-band, and a triangular white belly patch with white axillary spurs.

The predatory seabirds primarily inhabit coastal zones, flooded lowlands, and marine wetlands, using Cambodia's maritime ecosystems as vital stopover corridors during their seasonal migrations.

By K. Rithy Reak