Rising Tide Images
Red-Tailed Reconnaissance
A red-tailed tropicbird inspects potential nesting sites in a sea cliff. Its nest on the Kaiwi coast of Oahu is a simple scrape in a puka, often hidden by bunch grass, in a volcanic tuff escarpment. One of the few birds that can fly backwards, their aerial courtship displays over the ocean are fascinating to watch. The red-tailed tropicbird, or koa’e ‘ula, 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 gorgeous and agile of all the seabirds! Koa’e ‘ula, red-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda.
Red-Tailed Reconnaissance
A red-tailed tropicbird inspects potential nesting sites in a sea cliff. Its nest on the Kaiwi coast of Oahu is a simple scrape in a puka, often hidden by bunch grass, in a volcanic tuff escarpment. One of the few birds that can fly backwards, their aerial courtship displays over the ocean are fascinating to watch. The red-tailed tropicbird, or koa’e ‘ula, 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 gorgeous and agile of all the seabirds! Koa’e ‘ula, red-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda.