Red-tailed Tropicbird - profile

Indicative distribution

Loading map...

Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Phaethon rubricauda

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Profile last updated: 10 Nov 2023

Description

A large white seabird, often with long red tail streamers and red bill. Juveniles mottled above, tail streamers missing, bill black.

Distribution

Ranges throughout tropical and subtropical zones of the Indian and West Pacific Oceans, breeding on oceanic islands. Lord Howe Island is said to have the greatest breeding concentration in the world.

Habitat and ecology

Marine
Breeds in coastal cliffs and under bushes in tropical Australia. Nests on cliffs of the northern hills and southern mountains on the main island at Lord Howe Island.
Nest consists of a mere scrape on the ground on an inaccessible cliff ledge.
Vagrant birds occur in coastal NSW waters, and occasionally even inland, particularly after storm events.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Invasion of breeding habitat on Lord Howe Island by weeds, particularly Bitou Bush.
Juveniles often succumb to a disease causing growths on the head which is always fatal. Impact on the species is unknown.
Potential for invasion by exotic species and/or pathogens.
African big-headed ants. - Same eradication program
Likely to predate nests and constrain reproductive success / recruitment.

Recovery strategies

Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Office of Environment and Heritage has identified 4 priority actions to help recover the Red-tailed Tropicbird in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Control introduced weeds near breeding habitat on Lord Howe Island.
Monitor status of breeding population on Lord Howe Island.

Information sources

Hutton, I. (1991) Birds of Lord Howe Island Past and Present.
Schodde, R. and Mason, I.J. (1999) The Directory of Australian Birds. (CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Ocean	Hawkesbury Shelf	Known	None
Ocean	South Pacific Ocean	Known	None
Ocean	Tweed-Moreton	Known	None
Ocean - Other State	Northern Australian Coastal Waters	Known	None
Ocean - Other State	Southern Australian Coastal Waters	Known	None
Other State	SA	Known	None
Pacific Subtropical Islands	Lord Howe Island	Known	None

Sounds

Images

Red-tailed Tropicbird
Enlarge image

Nature conservation

Threatened species