Rising Tide Images
Pre-Plunge
A koa’e ‘ula spots fish, stops and hovers in mid-air, then plunges into the water for the catch. Tropicbirds are superb aerial acrobats and underwater swimmers. Their aerial courtship displays over the ocean are fascinating to watch. One of the few birds that can fly backwards. The red-tailed tropicbird is one of only three species of tropicbirds worldwide and identified by the red bill and distinctive long, red, central tail streamers. Surely among the most beautiful of all the seabirds! Koa’e ‘ula, red-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda.
Pre-Plunge
A koa’e ‘ula spots fish, stops and hovers in mid-air, then plunges into the water for the catch. Tropicbirds are superb aerial acrobats and underwater swimmers. Their aerial courtship displays over the ocean are fascinating to watch. One of the few birds that can fly backwards. The red-tailed tropicbird is one of only three species of tropicbirds worldwide and identified by the red bill and distinctive long, red, central tail streamers. Surely among the most beautiful of all the seabirds! Koa’e ‘ula, red-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda.