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Immature Red-Footed Booby (Sula sula rubripes), Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, north Kaua'i.
A White-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon lepturus dorotheae; "Koa‘e kea" in Hawaiian) soars along the steep-walled canyon feeding into the bay adjacent to Kilauea Point, north Kaua'i. Adult birds have mostly white plumage with long, white tail streamers (33-40 cm). Tail feathers are visible while the bird is in flight as compared to the koa‘e ‘ula. Black eye-stripe from gape curving toward and passing through eye. Diagonal black stripe across upper wings. Yellowish to orange bill. Legs/feet are yellowish with black webs. Length: 38-40 cm (15-16 in), 71-81 cm (28-32 in) including tail streamers; wingspan: 89-94 cm (35-38 in); average life span: 16 years. Typically solitary feeders though sometimes seen in pairs. With folded wings, koa‘e kea hit the water and completely submerge to seize and swallow prey before flight. Prey consists of fish and squid.
A Red-Footed Booby (Sula sula rubripes) roosting in a clearing at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, north Kaua'i.
A Red-Footed Booby (Sula sula rubripes) comes to rest in a clearing at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, north Kaua'i.
A Red-Footed Booby (Sula sula rubripes) glides on the updrafts created by the steep basalt cliffs of the cove adjacent to Kilauea Point, north Kaua'i. The boobies at Kīlauea Point are a white color morph. Adult birds have a white body and tail plumage. Upper wings have black primary and greater secondary coverts. This species is seen year-round at Kilauea Point. Approximately 1,400 to 2,500 pairs nest at the refuge annually. Feeds by diving vertically into the water (rarely within the sight of land). May dive up to 10 meters to pursue prey, which is primarily flying fish and squid.
A Red-Footed Booby (Sula sula rubripes) glides on the updrafts created by the steep basalt cliffs of the cove adjacent to Kilauea Point, north Kaua'i. The boobies at Kīlauea Point are a white color morph. Adult birds have a white body and tail plumage. Upper wings have black primary and greater secondary coverts. This species is seen year-round at Kilauea Point. Approximately 1,400 to 2,500 pairs nest at the refuge annually. Feeds by diving vertically into the water (rarely within the sight of land). May dive up to 10 meters to pursue prey, which is primarily flying fish and squid.
A Red-Footed Booby (Sula sula rubripes) launches herself from atop one of the steep basalt cliffs adjacent to Kilauea Point, north Kaua'i.
A Red-Footed Booby (Sula sula rubripes) glides on the updrafts created by the steep basalt cliffs of the cove adjacent to Kilauea Point, north Kaua'i. The boobies at Kīlauea Point are a white color morph. Adult birds have a white body and tail plumage. Upper wings have black primary and greater secondary coverts. This species is seen year-round at Kilauea Point. Approximately 1,400 to 2,500 pairs nest at the refuge annually. Feeds by diving vertically into the water (rarely within the sight of land). May dive up to 10 meters to pursue prey, which is primarily flying fish and squid.
The now-defunct light house at the Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge, northern Kaua'i.
Immature Red-Footed Booby (Sula sula rubripes), Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, north Kaua'i.
Immature Red-Footed Booby (Sula sula rubripes), Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, north Kaua'i.
Immature Red-Footed Booby (Sula sula rubripes), Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, north Kaua'i.
See photo in original gallery.
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