Phaethontidae

PARENTAL INFANTICIDE BY EGG DESTRUCTION IN RED-BILLED TROPICBIRDS PHAETHON AETHEREUS ON THE CARIBBEAN ISLAND OF SINT EUSTATIUS

Avian reproduction is a process that requires extensive energetic input by parents, particularly in pelagic seabirds. Parental infanticide has rarely been reported in pelagic seabirds, and its frequency among taxa is therefore difficult to determine. Using data from remote cameras, two cases of probable parental infanticide in Red-billed Tropicbirds Phaethon aethereus were captured on Sint Eustatius in the 2021–2022 breeding season. Both cases are presented with images collected from remote cameras as evidence. While appearing counterproductive, parental infanticide may provide an alternative reproduction strategy that favors lifetime reproductive success over short term success.

Date
2023
Data type
Scientific article
Theme
Research and monitoring
Document
Geographic location
St. Eustatius

First evidence of plastic ingestion by Red-billed Tropicbirds Phaethon aethereus from St. Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands

We present the first confirmed evidence of plastic ingestion by a Red-billed Tropicbird on the Caribbean Netherlands island of St. Eustatius, which supports a regionally important nesting population. With our observations, all species of tropicbird have now been documented ingesting marine plastic pollution.

 

Date
2020
Data type
Scientific article
Theme
Research and monitoring
Geographic location
St. Eustatius