white plumage with black streaks; red tail, bill (Hawaii, USA; 2007-04-01)


Red-tailed Tropicbird
Phaethon rubricauda

Native Range: Tropical Oceans

Notes: the hallmark of this tropicbird species is indeed its long red tail; nests in rock cavities or crevices; no sexual dimorphism.

bird in flight, showing ruby red at both ends (Hawaii, USA; 2007-04-01)
on the nest; long, red, two-pronged wire-like tail (Hawaii, USA; 2007-04-01)

sitting on an egg (Hawaii, USA; 2007-04-01)
again showing red at both ends of the body (Hawaii, USA; 2007-04-01)

ruby red, slightly decurved bill; black faial streak (Hawaii, USA; 2007-04-01)
posing for a head portrait (Hawaii, USA; 2007-04-01)