Rising Tide Images
Brooding
A red-tailed tropicbird appears to be brooding, both in temperament and biologically, as it nests in a seaside cliff. The nest is a simple scrape in a hollow in the volcanic tuff escarpment. Paired adult red-tailed tropicbirds, or koa’e ‘ula, take turns fiercely guarding their nest and their single hatchling. After several weeks, the larger nestling will be left alone as it takes the effort of both adults plunge diving into the ocean for fish and squid then returning to regurgitate meals. The red-tailed tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda) is one of only three species of tropicbirds worldwide and identified by the red bill and distinctive long, red, central tail streamers.
Brooding
A red-tailed tropicbird appears to be brooding, both in temperament and biologically, as it nests in a seaside cliff. The nest is a simple scrape in a hollow in the volcanic tuff escarpment. Paired adult red-tailed tropicbirds, or koa’e ‘ula, take turns fiercely guarding their nest and their single hatchling. After several weeks, the larger nestling will be left alone as it takes the effort of both adults plunge diving into the ocean for fish and squid then returning to regurgitate meals. The red-tailed tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda) is one of only three species of tropicbirds worldwide and identified by the red bill and distinctive long, red, central tail streamers.