Tropicbirds-Family Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds – Family Phaethontidae

A small family of only three species of beautiful white seabirds characterized by the wedgeshaped tail with its two elongated central streamers. These birds range far out to sea, are excellent divers and plunge readily into the water. They swim with the tail cocked up. They feed largely on squads so are often active at night. In Java there are only two species.
Key to Javan Tropicbirds
Barred juvenile with black beak…………………….Phaethon rubricauda
Barred juvenile with yellow beak……………………………P. lepturus
Adult with red tail streamers………………………………………P. rubricauda
Adult with white tail streamers……………………………….P. lepturus

Swinhoe's Storm-petrel (Oceanodroma monorhis)

Indonesian- Petrel badai coklat

Description: very small (18 cm) dark, fork-tailed petrel. Plumage all over sooty chocolate with paler grey wingbar, grayish crown, chin and rump. Iris-dark; bill and feet –black.

Voice: silent at sea

Distribution and status: breeds in south China Sea off S. Japan and Formosa and Pescador Island and ranges through to N. India Ocean. Rare birds are forced into Javan coastal waters in bad weather.

Habits: the flight is distinctive and tern-like with much bounding and swooping over the water, never pattering along the surface – sometimes follows ships.

Diet: fish, plankton, crustaceans, small squids.

Race: O.m. monorhis