Breeding birds of Christmas Island

In referring to   the previous title “ Breeding Birds of Christmas Island- Kiribati 2005”, the subsequent paragraphs have described the breeding bird species as shown on the issued stamp.

Lesser Frigatebird – Fregata ariel

The Lesser Frigatebird (Fregata ariel) is common in tropical seas breeding on remote islands, including Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean in recent years. The male is mostly all black save for a white patch on the flank which extends on to the underwing as a spur. Males also have a pale bar on the upper wing. Females have a black head and neck with a white collar and breast as well as a spur extending on to the underwing. The female also has a narrow red ring around the eye.

Red-tailed Tropicbird /Phaethon rubricauda

The Red-tailed Tropicbird or Phaethon rubricauda looks like a stout tern, and hence closely resembles the other two tropicbird species. It has generally white plumage, often with a pink tinge, a black crescent around the eye and a thin red tail feather. It has a bright red bill and black feet.The Red-tailed Tropicbird is a seabird that nests across the Indian and Pacific Oceans

Sea birds of Kiribati

In refer to the previous title : Sea birds of Kiribati-Kiribati 2005, detail of each issued stamp in related with the above title  has described  in the subsequent paragraphs.The first miniature sheet of the issued  stamps by Kiribati Post which collaborated with Birdlife International on  August 15, 2005 featured  sea birds of Kiribati such as: White-tailed tropicbird (Phaeton lepturus), Black Noddy ( Anous minutus), Red-footed Booby (Sula sula), Wedge-tailed Shearwater (Puffinus pacificus), White Tern (Gygis alba), and Great Frigatebird (Fregata minor)

White-tailed Tropicbird ( Phaethon lepturus)

The White-tailed Tropicbird breeds on tropical islands laying a single egg directly onto the ground or a cliff ledge. White-tailed Tropicbird disperses widely across the oceans when not breeding, and sometimes wanders far. White-tailed Tropicbird feeds on fish and squid, caught by surface plunging, but this species is a poor swimmer.Sexes are similar, although males average longer tailed, but juveniles lack the tail streamers, have a green-yellow bill, and a finely barred back.

Black Noddy (Anous minutus)

The Black Noddy has a worldwide distribution in tropical and subtropical seas, with colonies widespread in the Pacific Ocean and more scattered across the Caribbean, central Atlantic and in the northeast Indian Ocean.The Black Noddy (Anous minutus) is a seabird from the tern family.