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Phaethon rubricauda
Large white seabird, about 100cm long but includes 35cm for the tail streamers. Wingspan approx 115cm and body weight around the 800gm mark. Striking white plumage although birds at their southern range gain a pinkish hue (like this bird). Short black mask, black feet and striking deep red bill and tail streamers. Young birds do show some black streaking until full adult plumage is attained.
Ocean going bird of the warm tropical and sub tropical Pacific and Indian Oceans. This bird seen off Meyer Island in the Kermadec group where it is presumably breeding. When not breeding these birds are quite solitary. In New Zealand these birds breed on Meyer Island but is otherwise a rare vagrant to the main lands.
These birds fly with their feet out at right angles from their body. Perhaps to compensate for the lack of a solid tail in flight? This bird was sitting on the water and took off, I have put my favorite image up as the main one but perhaps not the most objective one.
Spotted on Apr 3, 2016
Submitted on Apr 9, 2016
4 Comments
Thank you Polilla. I appreciate your comment. These birds are quite stunning.
Thank you Stephanie, thank you Jim. The contrast of the ocean with the sun on it really makes the bird stand out.
Great photos, and nice summary, well done!
Nice pictures of an very interesting bird!