Red-billed Tropicbird (Rare Bird Sighting) Photo Gallery by lejun at pbase.com

Red-billed Tropicbird (Rare Bird Sighting)

Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus)

The sighting of this bird in east-central Alabama constituted a rare-bird alert.
It was grounded during the remnants of Tropical Storm "Zeta" on 10/29/2020 in Opelika, AL.

Even though it wanders great distances away from its nesting islands, this is the
first documented sighting of the species in inland Alabama. According to Dr. Greg Jackson
of the Alabama Bird Records Committee of the Alabama Ornithological Society, this is the first
inland Alabama tropicbird record. There are two Red-billed records for off shore, and two old “tropicbird species” records.

The bird literally fell out of the sky during the storm and every effort was made to rejuvenate it.
It did not appear to be injured but was completely exhausted and energy depleted. Local expert birders
and staff of the Ornithology Group of Auburn University's Dept. of Biology were consulted and provided
advice as to how to care for the bird. Despite every effort to provide water and food (fish & living minnows),
the bird would not accept either and succumbed after 48 hrs. The remains of the bird will be housed in the
Natural History Museum of Auburn University, Auburn, AL.

Upon being grounded in grass from storm.
In water bath provided after grounding.
After placement in box for transmittal to rehabilitation unit
Detail of head and beak
Beak detail
Showing feet

Detail of foot
With wings open
Checking wing integrity

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Upon being grounded in grass from storm.	In water bath provided after grounding.	After placement in box for transmittal to rehabilitation unit	Detail of head and beak	Beak detail	Showing feet
Detail of foot	With wings open	Checking wing integrity

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