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Red-tailed Tropicbird (Indian Ocean) (Phaethon rubricauda westralis)

This seabird occurs in the eastern Indian Ocean and breeds at Australian Indian Ocean sites, including Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Ashmore Reef and Rowley Shoals. It spends much of its time over open ocean and nests in bare-ground cavities in coastal cliffs.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Endangered.

Seasonal planning

Nesting has been recorded year-round in Western Australia, with egg-laying peaking from September to November.

Seasonal evidence: From published sources for this species.

Timing varies between sites and years.

  • Nesting season: Nesting has been recorded year-round in Western Australia, with egg-laying peaking from September to November.

Identification: Appearance

Adults have long red tail plumes and a reddish bill. In the westralis subspecies, colour intensity is described as the main distinguishing feature, as wing and beak sizes overlap with the nominate subspecies.

Adults have long red tail plumes and a reddish bill. In the westralis subspecies, colour intensity is described as the main distinguishing feature, as wing and beak sizes overlap with the nominate subspecies.

Identification: Confirming identity

Confirm the identity of any suspected record with a specialist and a photograph or voucher, as required by the relevant permit.

Distribution: Known range

The westralis subspecies is associated with the eastern Indian Ocean. In Australia, it breeds on Christmas Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Ashmore Reef and Rowley Shoals; Christmas Island is its key breeding site.

The westralis subspecies is associated with the eastern Indian Ocean. In Australia, it breeds on Christmas Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Ashmore Reef and Rowley Shoals; Christmas Island is its key breeding site.

Distribution: National mapping

The Commonwealth species distribution model (SNES) maps where the species or its habitat is known, likely or may occur. Use it with local records and site inspection.

Habitat: Habitat

It forages over open ocean and returns to remote islands to breed. Australian nesting sites include coastal cliffs with cavities and bare ground.

It forages over open ocean and returns to remote islands to breed. Australian nesting sites include coastal cliffs with cavities and bare ground.

Foraging habitat: Diet

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Breeding habitat: Breeding

It nests in cavities in the bare ground of Christmas Island’s coastal cliffs. It also breeds at Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Ashmore Reef and Rowley Shoals, where breeding populations are small.

It nests in cavities in the bare ground of Christmas Island’s coastal cliffs. It also breeds at Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Ashmore Reef and Rowley Shoals, where breeding populations are small.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter

Nesting birds use cavities in coastal cliffs.

Nesting birds use cavities in coastal cliffs.

Threats: Threats

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Threats: Works risk

Ground disturbance or construction at nesting sites could damage the bare-ground cavities used by breeding birds. Works that alter coastal cliff nesting habitat could also affect these sites.

Survey methodology: 1. Commonwealth guidance

Use methods consistent with the Commonwealth survey guidelines and engage a specialist with the right permits.

For EPBC Act referrals, survey effort and methods should be consistent with the survey guidelines for Australia's threatened birds, read with the Significant impact guidelines 1.1.

Survey methodology: 2. Limits

A non-detection is not proof of absence. Match survey timing to the species and season, and record effort.

Vegetation associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific vegetation association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Ecosystem associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific ecosystem association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Soil and substrate associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific soil association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Water and wetland associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific water association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Fauna records and mapped habitat: Not yet analysed

Record locations can be overlaid with mapping, but record frequency alone does not measure habitat preference. No species is excluded from desktop assessments by this analysis.

No quality-controlled record-to-map analysis has been completed for this species. The existing generalised distribution dots and indicative range polygons have not been treated as precise occurrence coordinates.

A defensible run needs dated, independently attributable records, coordinate uncertainty, duplicate and captive-record checks, layer versions and regional scope. Preference and absence require additional survey-effort and detection evidence.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: No supported exclusion recorded

Not recorded is not the same as cannot occur. Low suitability, resident habitat, breeding habitat and occasional movement are different conclusions.

This library has not established a vegetation, ecosystem or soil-type exclusion for this species. This does not mean all habitat is suitable; the evidence needed to justify an exclusion has not been assembled.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: Before using a negative association

  • Confirm the taxon, geographic region, life stage and habitat function covered by the evidence.
  • Check survey methods, season, repeated effort and detectability before interpreting non-detection.
  • Investigate credible contradictory records and microhabitats absent from broad mapping.
  • Do not convert a missing map class, low record count or failed data request into species absence.

Before disturbance: 1. Desktop and approvals

Confirm whether the project could affect the species before works begin.

Check national mapping, state records and recent surveys for the site. An action likely to have a significant impact on this nationally listed species needs EPBC Act referral, and state permits apply where it is state listed.

Before disturbance: 2. Plan to avoid

Plan in-water works, vessel movements and lighting to avoid known habitat and sensitive periods, and set observer and shutdown procedures before works start.

During disturbance: 1. Controls

Keep works inside the approved footprint and conditions.

Use spotters and exclusion zones for in-water works and vessels, and pause works if the species is seen within the zone.

During disturbance: 2. Stop and report

If the species is found unexpectedly, stop work at that spot and contact the project ecologist and the relevant agency.

After disturbance: 1. Records

Record outcomes.

Record sightings, habitat lost or retained and any injury or death, and report them under the approval conditions.

Rehabilitation: 1. Restore

Restore disturbed habitat where possible.

Remove temporary structures, restore natural flow and substrate, and monitor water quality until it returns to baseline.

Sources