Introduction
Embark on a journey into Fiji’s avian world, where we spotlight two mesmerizing species: the White-tailed Tropicbird and the Red-tailed Tropicbird. These slender seabirds, classified under the order Phaethontiformes and family Phaethontidae, grace the tropical oceans with their elegant white plumage adorned with striking black markings. Discover their distinct features, behaviors, and habitats, offering a glimpse into the enchanting avian diversity thriving along Fiji’s coastal cliffs and beyond.
Fun Fact 1: Sleep whilst flying.
Did you know that tropicbirds are such expert fliers that they can sleep while flying? They often doze off while riding the air currents over the ocean, making them some of the most aerially adept nappers in the animal kingdom!
| White-tailed Tropicbird | Red-tailed Tropicbird | |
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White-tailed Tropicbird
The White-tailed Tropicbird, a medium-sized seabird, is recognized by its predominantly white plumage with black wing markings and a yellow beak. Its defining feature is its long white tail feathers, visible from a distance. Nesting on coastal cliffs, it gracefully glides over canyons emitting loud calls. Compared to the Red-tailed Tropicbird, it is smaller and more elegant in flight. Distinguished by its slender build, it measures 71–80 cm in length, with wings spanning 89–96 cm. Its black eye-mask and orange yellow to orange-red bill differentiate it from its red-billed counterpart.
Common Name: White-tailed Tropicbird
Scientific Name: Phaethon lepturus
Recorded Sightings: Viti Levu – Vanua Levu – Taveuni – Kadavu – Lomaiviti – Lau – Rotuma
Image Supplied: Kansas Photo. (2009).
Red-tailed Tropicbird
The Red-tailed Tropicbird, a medium-sized seabird, features predominantly white plumage with a distinctive red beak. Its long red tail feathers, though striking, are challenging to spot from afar.
Compared to the White-tailed Tropicbird, it is larger and more robust. Sporting an almost entirely white body with a hint of pink, this tropicbird exhibits a streamlined form. Both sexes share similar plumage, distinguished by a dark brown comma-shaped stripe extending back from the lores to the ear coverts. Its bill, a vibrant red with black nostrils, contrasts sharply with pale blue-mauve legs and toes. While its white wings bear dark chevron-shaped patches on the tertials, the primary flight feathers reveal dark shafts. Moulting occurs outside the breeding season, with the distinctive red tail streamers being replaced first.
Common Name: Red-tailed Tropicbird
Scientific Name: Phaethon rubricauda
Recorded Sightings: Viti Levu – Vanua Levu – Taveuni – Kadavu – Lomaiviti – Lau – Rotuma
Image Supplied: Dick Daniels. (2008).
NatureFiji-MareqetiViti is Fiji’s only domestic NGO working solely for the conservation and sustainable management of Fiji’s unique natural heritage – Link
That’s all, folks! No extra info to dig into this time!
Just a quick note—no footnotes to add this time!
- del Hoyo, J. “Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda)”. 9 Sep 2013. Macaulay Library. Audio. Link.
- del Hoyo, J. “Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda)”. 23 Mar 2013. Macaulay Library. Video. Link.
- Daniels, Dick. November 8, 2008. “Red-tailed Tropicbird.” Photograph. Wikipedia. Accessed June 25, 2024. Link
- Erickson, J. “White-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon lepturus)”. 22 Nov 2009. Macaulay Library. Audio. Link.
- Jacob. H. “White-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon lepturus)”. 16 Sep 2018. Macaulay Library. Video. Link.
- Kansas Photo. 2009. “White-tailed Tropicbird.” Photograph. July 22. Flickr. Accessed June 24, 2024. Link