- 2 - 
ANNOTATED BIRD LIST 
Red-tailed Tropicbird 
(Phaethon rubricauda) 
Estimated population -20 
Number of nests -1 
Actual count -7 
Number collected -1 
Red-tails displayed over the causeway on several occasions. One 
bird collected was adult female that had recently laid. Nests were 
not found in the general vicinity due to heavy vegetation. One nestling 
was found on the largest of the three small islets at the west end of the 
west lagoon. This is believed to be the first record of Red-tailed 
Tropicbirds breeding on Palmyra. 
White-tailed Tropicbird 
( Phaethon lepturus ) 
Estimated population -12 
Actual count -U 
Number collected - -1 
White-tails 'circled over the east lagoon near the southeastern part 
of the island. They may nest in the tall Pisonia trees but no indication 
of breeding activity was observed. The one bird collected proved to be 
an adult male with gonads slightly enlarged. It is believed to represent 
the first specimen from Palmyra. 
Blue-faced Booby Actual count -6 
(Sula dactylatra ) Nest with egg -1 
Number collected -2 
One small coral-rubble island off of the eastern end of the atoll 
contained three pairs of Blue-faced Boobies. Two pairs defended nest 
scrapes and the third pair had one egg. This pair and the egg were 
collected and are believed to be the first specimens recorded from Palmyra. 
All six birds were not banded. 
Red-footed Booby Estimated population -15,000 -2C$ 
( Sula sula) Number banded -351 
Number returns -170 
Number collected -U 
Number sera samples -69 
The Red-footed Booby population is believed to be slightly less 
than it was in May. Due to the dense foliage and the utilization of 
nesting sites, up to 80* above ground, an accurate nest count is almost 
impossible. All stages of reproduction appeared to be common. 
