Red-billed Tropicbird facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red-billed Tropicbird |
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P. aethereus
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| Phaethon aethereus Linnaeus, 1758
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The Red-billed Tropicbird, also known as the Boatswain Bird, is a special type of seabird. It is one of three closely related birds that live in warm, tropical oceans. You can find these birds flying over the tropical Atlantic Ocean, eastern Pacific Ocean, and Indian Ocean.
Sometimes, the Red-billed Tropicbird found in the Indian Ocean, called P. a. indicus, was thought to be a completely different species. People used to call it the Lesser Red-billed Tropicbird. This type lives near Pakistan and the western part of India.
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What is a Tropicbird?
Tropicbirds are medium-sized seabirds. They are known for their long tail feathers. These feathers can be even longer than their bodies! They spend most of their lives flying over the open ocean. They only come to land to nest and raise their young.
Why are they called "Boatswain Birds"?
The name "Boatswain Bird" comes from sailors. A boatswain is a ship's officer. Sailors thought the bird's loud, whistling calls sounded like a boatswain's whistle. This is why they gave it this interesting nickname.
Where Red-billed Tropicbirds Live
These birds love warm, tropical waters. They are found in many parts of the world.
- Atlantic Ocean: You can see them near islands in the Caribbean and off the coast of Africa.
- Pacific Ocean: They live in the eastern Pacific, near Central and South America.
- Indian Ocean: They are also found in parts of the Indian Ocean, especially near islands.
They prefer remote islands for nesting. These islands offer safe places away from predators.
What They Look Like
The Red-billed Tropicbird is a beautiful bird. It has mostly white feathers. Its wings have black markings. The most noticeable feature is its bright red beak. This is how it gets its name!
Amazing Tail Feathers
Adult Red-billed Tropicbirds have two very long, thin tail feathers. These feathers can be up to two feet long! They trail behind the bird as it flies. These long feathers are especially noticeable during their amazing flight displays.
What Red-billed Tropicbirds Eat
These birds are skilled hunters. They mainly eat fish and squid. They catch their food by diving headfirst into the water. They can plunge deep to grab their prey.
How They Hunt
Red-billed Tropicbirds fly high above the ocean. They watch for fish swimming near the surface. Once they spot a meal, they fold their wings back. Then they dive straight down into the water. Their sharp eyesight helps them find food even from high up.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Red-billed Tropicbirds nest in colonies on remote islands. They usually lay one egg. Both parents take turns caring for the egg and the chick.
Nesting Habits
They do not build fancy nests. Instead, they find sheltered spots. These can be in rock crevices or shallow scrapes on the ground. The parents protect their single egg very carefully.
Raising a Chick
Once the chick hatches, it is covered in soft down feathers. Both parents feed the chick. They bring back fish and squid from the ocean. The chick grows quickly. It learns to fly after a few months. Young birds will then leave the nest and head out to sea.
Images for kids
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A Red-billed Tropicbird chick, Little Tobago
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A Red-billed Tropicbird nesting on Little Tobago
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