Biology

Males begin their mating displays in late December (4), inflating their scarlet throat pouches during courtship (2). Egg laying occurs between March and May and nests are positioned high in tall forest trees (6). A single egg is laid and both parents take it in turns during the 50 to 54 day incubation period; fledglings can remain dependant on their parents for six to seven months after their first flight (4). These birds feed mainly on flying fish and cephalopods (such as squid), which are scooped from the surface of the water (6). A proportion of their food is obtained by harassing other seabirds such as red-footed boobies (Sula sula), until they are forced to regurgitate their meal (4).