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Red-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus *Breeds on Oahu Mature birds have mostly white plumage. Conspicuous black stripe from gape, curving towards and passing through eye. Strong decurved, bright, red, heavy beak. Legs/feet blue-grey with webs distally black. White tail with long, red, central rectrices Length: 17-18 in; wingspan: 41 in. Usually feeding during the day, Red-tailed Tropicbirds are solitary feeders and rarely fish within sight of land. The Red-tailed Tropicbird dives, wings half-folded, into the water to catch their prey. Red-tails consume mostly flying fish, mackerel, dolphinfish, balloonfish and squid. Their diet is about 4/5 fish and 1/5 squid. Several pairs nest on Manana Island and on the mainland coast of southeast Oahu. Trip Reports By Date Sightings Charts Checklist | Pick-up locations | Links Guestbook | Birding on Oahu Our Land Eco-Tours | Bird Books Oahu Nature Tours Phone:(808) 924-2473 Fax: (808) 924-5395  All content and photos on this website are copyrighted and not to be used or distributed without written permission from Oahu Nature Tours, Inc. and Robin W.Baird |
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