On our walks around the shores of Bermuda, Patrick and I have had the pleasure of encountering the beautiful Bermuda Longtail. Also known as the White-Tailed Tropicbird. They are to be seen gliding in graceful circles along the cliff edges and rocky shores. They are distinctive for their long white tail feathers and black and white marking on their bodies.
In Bermuda, they are thought to be the harbingers of spring. They fly in from about April and nest on the island until October. Their nests are found in crevices and holes in the cliff edges, and rock face around the island. They apparently mate for life, laying a single egg at a time. They feed on fish and squid. Something I never knew: they sleep on the wing - how incredible is that!
They are also emblematic of Bermuda - their images are seen on house fronts, on coins, clothing, and a proliferation of souvenir items. Photographs of the bird abound - there are some excellent photos at the airport by Dr. Reg Grundy - a famous Australian media mogul who spent 30 years in Bermuda, devoting his time to professional photography concentrating on the Longtail. There is also a permanent exhibition of his Longtail photographs at Masterworks Bermuda Art Museum. He said of the Longtails: "The birds to me are the most beautiful in the world.....they're real life fairytales." Sadly, Dr. Grundy died in May of this year.
Unfortunately, due to hurricane damage and the continuing encroachment of development along the coastline, their habitat has been seriously eroded and the species is now under some threat, with their numbers declining steadily. Good news though - the Bermuda Maritime Museum is building 'igloos' to help them nest safely.
It has been said that the Longtail represents everything that is beautiful and tranquil about Bermuda. I have to agree that they are amongst the most graceful and elegant of natural attractions on the island.
They are also emblematic of Bermuda - their images are seen on house fronts, on coins, clothing, and a proliferation of souvenir items. Photographs of the bird abound - there are some excellent photos at the airport by Dr. Reg Grundy - a famous Australian media mogul who spent 30 years in Bermuda, devoting his time to professional photography concentrating on the Longtail. There is also a permanent exhibition of his Longtail photographs at Masterworks Bermuda Art Museum. He said of the Longtails: "The birds to me are the most beautiful in the world.....they're real life fairytales." Sadly, Dr. Grundy died in May of this year.
It has been said that the Longtail represents everything that is beautiful and tranquil about Bermuda. I have to agree that they are amongst the most graceful and elegant of natural attractions on the island.
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