Protect Seabirds in the Caribbean

This is the time when seabirds that breed throughout the year can be found nesting in the Caribbean, including birds like boobies and tropicbirds. 

Thanks to your support, our citizen scientists have been recording the number of Red-billed Tropicbirds, which can be tricky. This species nests in rocky crevices and at times are difficult to find; sometimes you can be surprised when hearing the shrill, piercing call of alarm leaving no doubt that a tropicbird nest is nearby. Or you might spot their long, white tail plume sticking out of a crevice.

Tropicbirds raise only one chick per year, making each nest very important for the population.
In addition to searching for nests, surveyors also conduct counts of all the tropicbirds flying in the afternoon, when they tend to congregate and call while displaying their splendid tail feathers during a somewhat ungainly flight.

The often-raucous nature of seabird nesting colonies is one of the aspects that keeps citizen scientists going back to these remote islands. The abundance of life at these sites is thrilling to behold and offers hope for a future with healthy and rebounding seabird populations.

Your contribution helps us to continue this monitoring work as well as upcoming research placing temporary tracking devices on boobies. These devices show where birds are foraging and which areas are important. This type of data informs management plans and protected area designations that ensure these seabird parents have enough food for their young.

We sincerely appreciate your support of this valuable work and hope you too can experience the wonders of seabird nesting colonies yourself if you have not already.

In Gratitude,
Natalia

Links:

• Learn more at our new, interactive website