A review of the status and biology of an enigmatic pelagic species, the Red-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda
| Posted: |
09/11/2022 |
| Author(s): |
Dominique A. Potvin, Kathy A. Townsend, Zerra Egerton |
The Red-tailed Tropicbird Phaeton rubricauda occurs throughout the tropical regions of the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
The species’ breeding biology is quite well documented, but its population status, at-sea behaviour and ecology are
poorly understood. This review summarises information on its status, morphology, behaviour and ecology and identifies
aspects of its biology requiring further research that could facilitate its conservation management. The species’ global
population comprised an estimated 17-21,000 pairs in 2014, most of which bred on remote oceanic islands and atolls.
Red-tailed Tropicbirds have short, narrow femurs and a long, straight pygostyle, making them highly efficient at oceanic
foraging but cumbersome in their terrestrial locomotion. Courtship involves aerial displays in which the tail streamers
possessed by both sexes play a prominent role. Clutch size is one and brood care is biparental, the parents employing a
bimodal provisioning strategy involving long and short foraging trips. Breeding occurs on both bare and well vegetated
substrates, vegetation cover being a key factor in nest site selection and breeding success in vegetated sites. The diet
comprises mainly relatively large epipelagic fish and squid that are caught by solitary plunge-diving. The main threats
to the species’ survival are nest predation, sea level rises due to climate change, competition for food with commercial
fisheries and extreme weather events. The main deficiencies in our knowledge of Red-tailed Tropicbird biology are the
at-sea behaviour of the species and its genetic structure.
>> Download Abstract |
File Size: 259 KB
>> Download Complete PDF | File Size: 3 MB
