Red-tailed Tropicbird

Phaethon rubricauda

The Red-tailed Tropicbird, scientifically known as Phaethon rubricauda, is a striking seabird with a white body, long tail streamers, and a vibrant red tail. This species is known for its graceful aerial acrobatics and is often found soaring over tropical oceans. Red-tailed Tropicbirds primarily feed on fish and squid, which they catch by plunge-diving from the air. They nest in crevices or burrows on remote, rocky islands, where they lay a single egg. This species is known for its haunting, piercing call, especially during the breeding season. Red-tailed Tropicbirds are vulnerable to threats such as habitat destruction, marine pollution, and predation by introduced species.

Habitat: Tropical oceans and remote, rocky islands