PHAETHONTIFORMES: Phaethontidae

Phaethon rubricauda  

Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda)
click photo for larger image
© Kay Parkin 2012
Lord Howe Island, NSW (Mar, 2012)

These birds breed in the high cliff tops around Lord Howe Island which meant if I wanted to photograph them I'd have to climb up there! Malabar Hill is an enjoyable one hour hike but is steep and not suitable if you have a fear of heights.It is rocky and after rain the tree roots are slippery but the views at the top are breath taking.

Just don't get too close to the edge as the cliff is unstable.

Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda)

Red-tailed Tropicbird

Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda)

Red-tailed Tropicbird

Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda)

Red-tailed Tropicbird

Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda)

Red-tailed Tropicbird

Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda)

Red-tailed Tropicbird

Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda)

Red-tailed Tropicbird

Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda)

Red-tailed Tropicbird

Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda)

Red-tailed Tropicbird

Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda)

Red-tailed Tropicbird

Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda)

Red-tailed Tropicbird

Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda)

Red-tailed Tropicbird

Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda)

Red-tailed Tropicbird Chick

Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda)

Red-tailed Tropicbird

Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda)

Red-tailed Tropicbird

Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda)

Red-tailed Tropicbird

Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda)

Red-tailed Tropicbird