Red-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon Rubricauda Research Articles

The marine avifauna of Matthew and Hunter Islands, two remote volcanoes of the New Hebrides chain

The marine avifauna of Matthew and Hunter Islands, two remote volcanoes of the New Hebrides chain Breeding birds recorded on Matthew and Hunter Islands in the tropical southwestern Pacific between 1973 and 2018 are summarised from a compilation of reports, for which various methods were used for counting seabirds. These methods included line transects, or direct observations using telescope or binoculars, or exhaustive counts, depending on the species observed and its nesting habitat. Population size estimates and reproductive periods are given. The total number of seabird species recorded breeding on the two islands was n = 14. This total includes seabird species breeding on both islands (n = 7): black-winged petrel Pterodroma nigripennis, wedge-tailed shearwater Ardenna pacifica, red-tailed tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda, masked booby Sula dactylatra, brown booby S. leucogaster, brown noddy Anous stolidus, and grey noddy A. albivitta. Hunter island also harbours a small colony of Herald petrel Pterodroma heraldica, and colonies of lesser and great frigatebirds (Fregata ariel and F. minor), red-footed booby S. sula and, black noddy A. minutus and white tern Gygis alba. Matthew Island harbours a large colony of sooty tern Onychoprion fuscatus; an undetermined storm petrel may also breed there. Differences between the two islands regarding community composition of seabirds are explained by the absence of trees on Matthew Island and the presence of the Polynesian rat Rattus exulans on Hunter Island. Brown noddies bred exclusively during the austral summer, as did black-winged petrels and wedge-tailed shearwaters, while the Herald petrel and the two frigatebirds seemed to preferentially breed in the winter. The red-tailed tropicbird, the three boobies, the grey noddy and the sooty tern appeared to reproduce year-round. Disturbance caused by human activities was irregular but devastating to seabird colonies. The diversity and abundance of seabird species breeding on these islands makes them regionally important sites for conservation. Key words: Seabird, Population, Reproduction, Threats, Polynesian rat; Helicopters

How often should dead-reckoned animal movement paths be corrected for drift?

BackgroundUnderstanding what animals do in time and space is important for a range of ecological questions, however accurate estimates of how animals use space is challenging. Within the use of animal-attached tags, radio telemetry (including the Global Positioning System, ‘GPS’) is typically used to verify an animal’s location periodically. Straight lines are typically drawn between these ‘Verified Positions’ (‘VPs’) so the interpolation of space-use is limited by the temporal and spatial resolution of the system’s measurement. As such, parameters such as route-taken and distance travelled can be poorly represented when using VP systems alone. Dead-reckoning has been suggested as a technique to improve the accuracy and resolution of reconstructed movement paths, whilst maximising battery life of VP systems. This typically involves deriving travel vectors from motion sensor systems and periodically correcting path dimensions for drift with simultaneously deployed VP systems. How often paths should be corrected for drift, however, has remained unclear.Methods and resultsHere, we review the utility of dead-reckoning across four contrasting model species using different forms of locomotion (the African lion Panthera leo, the red-tailed tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda, the Magellanic penguin Spheniscus magellanicus, and the imperial cormorant Leucocarbo atriceps). Simulations were performed to examine the extent of dead-reckoning error, relative to VPs, as a function of Verified Position correction (VP correction) rate and the effect of this on estimates of distance moved. Dead-reckoning error was greatest for animals travelling within air and water. We demonstrate how sources of measurement error can arise within VP-corrected dead-reckoned tracks and propose advancements to this procedure to maximise dead-reckoning accuracy.ConclusionsWe review the utility of VP-corrected dead-reckoning according to movement type and consider a range of ecological questions that would benefit from dead-reckoning, primarily concerning animal–barrier interactions and foraging strategies.

Revision of the status of bird species occurring or reported in Colombia 2018

Chilean Flamingo Phoenicopterus chilensis, an Antshrike Thamnophilus sp., Yellow-crowned Elaenia Myiopagis flavivertex and Red-crested Finch Coryphospingus cucullatus are each newly added to the Colombian bird checklist, based on photographic records. Ochraceous Wren Troglodytes ochraceus is added based on a sonogram of an archived sound recording. Red-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda, Juan Fernandez Petrel Pterodroma externa, White-chinned Petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis, Tahiti Petrel Pseudobulweria rostrate, Gould's Petrel Pterodroma leucoptera and Lincoln's Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii are each added as unconfirmed based on sight records. Following new publications and a revision, several species are removed from Colombia's checklist: South American Tern Sterna hirundinacea, Christmas Shearwater Puffinus navitatis, White-bellied Storm-Petrel Fregetta grallaria, Bluish-fronted Jacamar Galbula cyanescens, Black-necked Araçari Pteroglossus aracari, Undulated Antshrike Frederickena unduliger, Chestnut-shouldered Antwren Euchrepomis humeralis, Painted Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum pictum, Roraiman Flycatcher Myiophobus roraimae, Couch's Kingbird Tyrannus couchii and Dotted Tanager Tangara varia. New photographic records allow White-throated Kingbird Tyrannus albogularis and Pacific Parrotlet Forpus coelestis to be promoted from unconfirmed to confirmed status. Short-tailed Field Tyrant Muscigralla brevicauda is returned to confirmed status based on a specimen and further supported by new photographic records presented here. We publish sonograms of archived sound recordings so as to promote Buffthroated Tody-Tyrant Hemitriccus rufigularis and Foothill Schiffornis Schiffornis aenea to confirmed status. Imperial Snipe Gallinago imperialis and Beautiful Treerunner Margarornis bellulus are now known from field observations as well as historical "Bogotá" specimens. Following status revisions, various species are downgraded to unconfirmed status, namely: Galapagos Penguin Spheniscus mendiculus, Little Woodstar Chaetocercus bombus, Black Nunbird Monasa atra, Graychested Greenlet Hylophilus semicinereus, Guianan Gnatcatcher Polioptila guianensis, Pirre Chlorospingus Chlorospingus inornatus, Pine Warbler Setophaga pinus and Palm Warbler Setophaga palmarum (the latter being confirmed on San Andrés and Providencia only, with photographs presented here). We present details of an overlooked specimen record for Colombia and new photographic records of Cape May Warbler Setophaga tigrina and Crimson-breasted Finch Rhodospingus cruentus as well as photographic records of White-bellied Spinetail Mazaria propinqua, Ecuadorian Tyrannulet Phylloscartes gualaquizae and Pink-footed Shearwater Ardenna creatopus, all of which we retain as confirmed species. We present new information on the status of the Mallard Anas platyrhynchos and Feral Pigeon Columba livia as breeding and introduced species. Common Quail Coturnix coturnix is a newly recorded escaped species that lacks evidence of establishment. Island Canary Serinus canaria and Zebra Finch Taeniopygia guttata are now confirmed escapees, due to photographic records. Splits are accepted of Rufescent Antshrike Thamnistes rufescens and Choco Screech-Owl Megascops centralis, with Bogota Sunangel Heliangelus zusii and Colombian Screech-Owl Megascops colombianus no longer recognized as valid species. Several amendments to genus and species names, English names and linear order are made, following recent publications. The Colombian checklist changes to 1,934 species (excluding escapees). Methods for categorizing records and the assessment of the status of species for a national checklist are discussed, in terms of the kinds of records (sight records, photographs, sound recordings, telemetry, specimens, etc), escaped or introduced species and taxonomy. We discuss all identified differences between our list and another recently published checklist of Colombia's birds

Visual sensitivity, coloration and morphology of red-tailed tropicbirds Phaethon rubricauda breeding on the Kermadec Islands

Subtle sexual dimorphism and its perception in apparently monomorphic bird species warrant assessment of how birds identify the sex of conspecifics, particularly of prospective mates. Visual sensitivity and its potential co-variation with cryptic sexual dichromatism are still uninvestigated in most avian taxa. Using molecular sexing, reflectance spectrometry and perceptual modelling based on the sequencing of short wavelength visual pigments, we assessed the sex-specificity of coloration and colour perception in the red-tailed tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda. We also measured morphological dimorphism at a previously unstudied breeding locality for this species. Our data are in line with both physical and avian-perceived monochromatism with a potential indication of achromatic sex differences in plumage reflectance. The moderate extent of size dimorphism is consistent with reports from other Pacific breeding populations, and morphological measurements from live specimens in this study are in line with reports on museum specimens from the same sample location. Potential differences between individuals of the same sex in size and coloration warrant the assessment of sexual dimorphism in larger sample sizes of this species.

Timing and patterns of growth of Red‐tailed Tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda tail streamer ornaments

IbisVolume 146, Issue 2 p. 355-359 Timing and patterns of growth of Red-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda tail streamer ornaments Allison C. Veit, Corresponding Author Allison C. Veit Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John’s, Newfoundland, A1B 3X9, Canada *Corresponding author. Present address: US Fish and Wildlife Service, PO Box 50167, Honolulu, HI 96850, USA. Email: Acveit@ucsalumni.comSearch for more papers by this authorIan L. Jones, Ian L. Jones Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John’s, Newfoundland, A1B 3X9, CanadaSearch for more papers by this author Allison C. Veit, Corresponding Author Allison C. Veit Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John’s, Newfoundland, A1B 3X9, Canada *Corresponding author. Present address: US Fish and Wildlife Service, PO Box 50167, Honolulu, HI 96850, USA. Email: Acveit@ucsalumni.comSearch for more papers by this authorIan L. Jones, Ian L. Jones Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John’s, Newfoundland, A1B 3X9, CanadaSearch for more papers by this author First published: 03 March 2004 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-919X.2004.00265.xCitations: 4Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume146, Issue2April 2004Pages 355-359 RelatedInformation

Seasonal and inter-annual variation in the feeding ecology of a tropical oceanic seabird, the red-tailed tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda

We studied seasonal and inter-annual variations in the diet, amount of food delivered to chicks, and body condition of chicks and adult red-tailed tropicbird at Europa Island (Mozambique Channel, Indian Ocean), during 3 consecutive seasons. The diet consisted of epipelagic fishes (13 families) and squid (3 families) totalling 32 taxa. Three families, the squid Ommastrephidae (mainly Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis) and the fishes Exocoetidae (flying-fish) and Coryphaenidae (dolphinfish), accounted for 68% of the number of prey and 83% of the ingested biomass. There were considerable differences in size and mass of the prey items, dolphin fish being the largest and squid the smallest. There were important seasonal variations in diet. During chick-rearing, 41% of the mass of food delivered to chicks consisted of dolphin fish, whereas these fish represented only 2% of the mass of food during incubation. The squid were caught in similar proportion throughout the breeding season but were larger during chick rearing. We did not find any inter-annual variation in the diet of chicks, nor in the body condition of either fledglings or adults, suggesting that no major inter-annual changes in food availability occurred during the course of our study. However, there was some interannual variation in feeding frequency and body condition of chicks of less than 60 d. There were also significant day-to-day variations in the feeding frequency in one of the 3 seasons studied. This suggests that day-to-day variation in the marine environment or in foraging conditions may have shortterm consequences in the food provisioning and body condition of growing chicks, but that these variations do not necessarily result in long-term (inter-annual) variations in diet and body condition of fledgling or adult red-tailed tropicbirds at Europa island. These results suggest that between 1995 and 1997, red-tailed tropicbirds of Europa relied on predictable and seasonal food resources when breeding.

The status of seabird colonies on the Cook Islands atoll of Suwarrow

Suwarrow (Suvorov) atoll is an important seabird breeding site in the central Pacific Ocean. However, it is not protected and is attractive to developers of potentially damaging aquaculture industries. In this paper I report the results of a survey conducted to establish the present status of Suwarrow's seabird colonies and to generate base-line data for measuring the effect of a proposed pearl-farm development. Between late July and early September 2000 the reef islets were surveyed for seabird chick numbers and age-states using a simple sampling method. In addition to Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata, populations of boobies Sula spp., noddies Anous spp., frigatebirds Fregata spp. and tropicbirds Phaethon spp. were assessed. Results showed that bird populations were maintaining levels similar to those from findings of surveys in 1992. Of particular note were globally significant numbers of Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel and Red-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda. Migratory birds were observed with Bristle-thighed Curlew Numenius tahitiensis regularly seen. The well-being of bird-life on the islets appears to be indirectly proportional to the proximity of human activity, with birds not observed breeding on Anchorage Island – the islet most often visited by people.

Breeding seasons of seabirds at Europa Island (southern Mozambique Channel) in relation to seasonal changes in the marine environment

AbstractTropical seabirds have evolved a wide range of breeding regimes to fit with their local environment. The western Indian Ocean shows various oceanic situations, providing opportunities to link variations in breeding phenology with variations of the environment. The breeding seasons of seabirds at Europa Island (Mozambique Channel, western Indian Ocean) are analysed. Three oceanic, tuna‐associated species (the sooty tern Sterna fuscata, the red‐footed booby Sula sula, and Audubon's shearwater Puffinus lherminieri) breed during austral winter (June–October), whereas the red‐tailed tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda breeds during austral summer (November–April). During winter, sea‐surface temperatures are the lowest, subtropical waters are the closest to the island, and long‐line catches of tunas are important. Thermal fronts occur during winter, in relation to the northward shift of subtropical waters. This is known to be favourable to tunas, and I suggest that the winter breeding of sooty terns, red‐footed boobies and Audubon's shearwaters is because of an increase in the abundance of tunas. Geographic variations in the breeding phenology of sooty terns in the western Indian Ocean largely support the hypothesis that sooty terns take advantage of cool subtropical waters, when those waters are within their foraging range. The red‐tailed tropicbird is a solitary forager, not associated with tunas. During the chick‐rearing period, 40% of the mass of food brought to the chicks consists of dolphin‐fishes Coryphaena spp. Those warm water, surface dwelling fishes are known to migrate in relation to sea‐surface temperatures. Seasonal changes in the occurrence or vulnerability of dolphin‐fish in the Mozambique Channel may have favoured a summer breeding regime in red‐tailed tropicbirds at Europa Island. Further studies of the marine life of seabirds are needed to test these hypotheses and to learn more about the foraging ecology of tropical seabirds.

Testing the functional significance of tail streamers

Studies of the evolution of elaborate ornaments have concentrated on their role in increasing attractiveness to mates. The classic examples of such sexually selected structures are the elongated tails of some bird species. Elongated tails can be divided into three categories: graduated tails, pin tails and streamers. There seems to be little debate about whether graduated and pin tails are ornaments; i.e. costly signals used in mate choice. However, in the case of streamers there is considerable discussion about their function. It has been suggested that tail streamers could be (i) entirely naturally selected, (ii) entirely sexually selected, (iii) partly naturally and partly sexually selected. The prime example of a species with tail streamers is the swallow (Hirundo rustica) in which both sexes have tail streamers. In this paper we discuss the aerodynamic consequences of different types of manipulation of the streamer and/or outer tail feather. We make qualitative predictions about the aerodynamic performance of swallows with manipulated tail streamers; these predictions differ depending on whether streamers have a naturally or sexually selected function. We demonstrate that these hypotheses can only be separated if tail streamers are shortened and changes in aerodynamic performance measured during turning flight.

BREEDING PERIODICITY, NESTING SUCCESS AND NEST SITE SELECTION AMONG RED‐TAILED TROPICBIRDS PHAETHON RUBRICAUDA AND WHITE‐TAILED TROPICBIRDS P. LEPTURUS ON ALDABRA ATOLL

IbisVolume 122, Issue 1 p. 76-81 BREEDING PERIODICITY, NESTING SUCCESS AND NEST SITE SELECTION AMONG RED-TAILED TROPICBIRDS PHAETHON RUBRICAUDA AND WHITE-TAILED TROPICBIRDS P. LEPTURUS ON ALDABRA ATOLL R. P. Prys-Jones, R. P. Prys-Jones British Museum (Natural History), Tring, Hertfordshire, Great Britain Institute, Department of Zoology, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PSSearch for more papers by this authorC. Peet, C. Peet Royal Society Aldabra Research Station, P.O. Box 336, Victoria, Mahe, SeychellesSearch for more papers by this author R. P. Prys-Jones, R. P. Prys-Jones British Museum (Natural History), Tring, Hertfordshire, Great Britain Institute, Department of Zoology, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PSSearch for more papers by this authorC. Peet, C. Peet Royal Society Aldabra Research Station, P.O. Box 336, Victoria, Mahe, SeychellesSearch for more papers by this author First published: January 1980 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-919X.1980.tb00873.xCitations: 13 AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume122, Issue1January 1980Pages 76-81 RelatedInformation