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Red-tailed TropicbirdAlternate name(s): "Red-tailed Bosunbird" Size: 45-50 cm; tail streamers 40 cm; wing span 90-95 cm Weight: 0.6-1.0 kg |
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Similar |
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Photos |
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ADULT |
Sex unknown |
Red-tailed Tropicbird stranded on the lawn of a property in
inland NSW after a fierce storm (photo courtesy of D. Johnston)
[Near Baradine, NSW, 1980ies]
Lateral view of a Red-tailed Tropicbird taking off from a rock
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Malabar Cliff, Lord Howe Island, November 2014]
Frontal view of a Red-tailed Tropicbird in flight
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Malabar Cliff, Lord Howe Island, November 2014]
Near-frontal view of a Red-tailed Tropicbird in flight
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Malabar Cliff, Lord Howe Island, November 2014]
View from above onto a Red-tailed Tropicbird in flight
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Malabar Cliff, Lord Howe Island, November 2014]
Ventral view of a Red-tailed Tropicbird in flight
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Malabar Cliff, Lord Howe Island, November 2014]
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Breeding information |
Breeding season: Sep - Jan | Eggs: 1 | Incubation period: 41 - 50 days | Fledging age: 10 - 15 weeks |
The breeding season listed above is typical for the more southerly breeding sites. In the tropics, Red-tailed Tropicbirds can breed basically all year round.
Nest building: ? | Incubation: Female & male | Dependent care: Female & male |
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Nest |
"bungobittah", "lar", "malunna", "jindi" [bundjalung] = nest [Aboriginal] |
Type: Scrape | Material: Sand | Height above ground: N/A |
Red-tailed Tropicbirds nest in sheltered spots, e.g. under shrubs, or under overhanging rocks or in rock crevices.
Red-tailed Tropicbird on its nest between grass tussocks
(photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Norfolk Island, January 2008]
Red-tailed Tropicbird on its nest under a shrub
(photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Norfolk Island, January 2008]
Frontal view of a Red-tailed Tropicbird chick
in its nest under a shrub (photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Lady Elliot Island, near Agnes Water, QLD, January 2006]
Near-frontal view of a Red-tailed Tropicbird chick
(photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Lady Elliot Island, near Agnes Water, QLD, January 2006]
Near-dorsal view of a Red-tailed Tropicbird chick
(photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Lady Elliot Island, near Agnes Water, QLD, January 2016]
Dorsal view of a Red-tailed Tropicbird chick
(photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Lady Elliot Island, near Agnes Water, QLD, January 2006]
Red-tailed Tropicbird chick with its wings spread out
(photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Lady Elliot Island, near Agnes Water, QLD, January 2016]
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Eggs |
"boyanga", "booyanga", "derinya", "dirandil", "koomura", "mirk", "ngampu", "nooluk", "pateena", "pum-pum" = Egg; "dirundirri" = eggs [Aboriginal]; "gawu" = eggs [gamilaraay] |
Size: 64 x 46 mm | Colour: Creamy, with many small brown speckles | Shape: Tapered oval |