A valuable nesting location in a vast expanse
of open ocean, Christmas Island is home to large numbers of
seabirds: frigatebirds
(two species), boobies (three species) and spectacular tropicbirds
(two species). Visitors don’t even need to leave the settled
areas to get good sightings at close range of endemic Christmas
Island Frigatebirds wheeling overhead and the graceful undulating
flight of the Golden Bosun, an especially elegant Christmas Island
form of tropicbird .
The island is large enough to have developed its own unique
rainforest ecology, with seven of the 13 land birds being endemic
to the island, including the inquisitive Christmas Island Thrush,
whose melodious evening song lends a wonderful musical quality
to the tropical, palm-fringed sunsets.Many species are quite inquisitive and birdwatchers can be rewarded
with some truly special sightings. With some little effort is
it quite easy to tick off a full list of residents in a busy
week or more relaxed fortnight, though the elusive Christmas
Island Hawk Owl keeps many coming back for more!
The Tropical Frigate can be seen occasionally
flying between South Padre Island and Boca Chica Beach. SPI
Rare Bird Alert has photos and will have information when seen.
