Johnston Island National Wildlife Refuge

Johnston Island NWR, Honolulu, Hawaii, Pacific Islands Complex: Johnston Island is one of several tiny unpopulated islands spanning more than 12,000 miles in the Pacific Ocean west of Hawaii. Because they are unpopulated and seldom visited, they are a real haven for many sea-going birds such as these magnificent frigatebirds. The males inflate their bright crimson throat pouches to attract females during courtship. Frigatebirds sometimes called "man-‘o-war" birds, are so called because their sail-like wings, aerial maneuverability, and habit of swooping in and stealing food from other seabirds are reminiscent of the small, fast ships (frigates) preferred by pirates for darting in and stealing cargo from merchant ships.