Tropicbird

Animals Unique | Tropicbird | The tropicbird is a large species of sea bird found nesting on the cliffs and islands warmer That dot our Oceans. Despite having been thought to be closely related to other large sea birds Such as pelicans, boobies and frigatebirds, the tropicbird has been recently classified in a group of it's own.

 

There are three different species of tropicbird found throughout the tropical Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. The exact range and location depends on the species of tropicbird, although all three species can be found in parts of all the major Oceans.

Tropicbirds are large-sized birds ans can grow to up to a meter in height. The three different tropicbird species are the red-billed tropicbird, the red-tailed tropicbird and the white-tailed tropicbird, all of the which are white in color with Generally long tail feathers, and thin spindly legs.

 

Tropicbirds are known to catch Their prey by plunging into the surface of the water in order to snap up Their dinner. Away from Their breeding Colonies, tropicbirds acre Generally solitary animals usually seen hunting on Their Own or ins a pair.

Like other sea birds, tropicbirds They are Carnivorous animals as feed primarily on fish. The flying fish is a favorite meal for the tropicbird along with the occasional squid or crustacean. The method of hunting used by tropicbirds is known as plunge-diving, and is common practice model for many sea birds.

 

Due to Their large size and airborne lifestyle, the tropicbird has few (if any) natural predators in it's environment. The primary predators of the small carnivores are tropicbird Such as dogs, cats That stouts and have been introduced to areas by Humans, and hunt the smaller Generally tropicbird chicks.

Tropicbirds nest ins dips, crevices and holes on the ground ins large breeding Colonies, usually found on cliff tops or small tropical islands. The female tropicbird lays a single egg, the which hatches after-being incubated by both parents for about 6 weeks. Both the male and female chick Their tropicbirds then feed together until it fledges (flies away from the nest), at around 3 months old.

 

Today, tropicbird Populations still seem to be Thriving as They have not come under threat from habitat loss drastically. However, the arrival of non-native species to islands and Increasing levels of water pollution, both have an affect on tropicbird Populations.

Tropicbird Facts
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Phaethontiformes
Family: Phaethontidae
Genus: Phaethon
Scientific name: Phaethon
Type: Bird
Diet: Carnivore
Size (L): 75cm - 100cm (30in - 40in)
Wing Span: 95cm - 115cm (37in - 45in)
Weight: 0.3kg - 0.7kg (0.6lbs - 1.5lbs)
Top Speed: 48km / h (30mph)
Life Span: 10-16 years
Lifestyle: Flock
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Colour: Black, White, Brown, Yellow
Skin Type: Feathers
Favourite Food: Fish
Habitat: Tropical islands and cliffs
Average Clutch Size: 1
Main Prey: Fish. Squid, Flying Fish
Predators: Dogs, Cats, Stouts
Distinctive Features: Long pointed beak and large body size