Longueur : de 66 à 77 cm. Envergure : 91 à 101 cm. Poids : de 900 à 1003g.
Diagnose
Seul fou à queue blanche, il est reconnaissable à ses pattes rouges possédant un pouce fonctionnel, à son bec et sa gorge colorés de rose et de bleu. Long bec pointu, conique et fort, dépourvu de narine externe. Important polymorphisme au niveau du plumage : blanc, blanc à queue noire (Galápagos), blanc doré (Océan Indien), marron, marron à queue blanche et marron à queue et à tête blanche. Les yeux sont plus grands que ceux des autres fous. Mâles plus petits que les femelles.
Détermination
Assez simple.
Espèces proches
Sans objet.
Période d'observation
Considéré comme peu commun en Guadeloupe, il fréquente régulièrement les Saintes où il niche.
Biologie – éthologie
Maturité sexuelle à 2-3 ans. Niche en colonies lorsque la nourriture est abondante. En parade nuptiale, le mâle relève queue, bec, ailes et appelle les femelles. Un seul œuf pondu au sein d'un nid de branchages dans un arbre, couvé 45 jours par les parents à l'aide de leurs pattes. Envol du jeune à 100-139 jours, les parents s'en occupent encore 6 mois. Se nourrit de calmars et poissons, notamment volants qu'il happe en surface, en l'air ou en plongeant. Avale ses proies avant de s'envoler.
Biogéographie et écologie
Strictement marin et largement pélagique en dehors des colonies de reproduction où il niche sur les atolls coralliens et îles volcaniques des mers tropicales à la végétation abondante, il se rencontre dans la mer des Caraïbes, l'Atlantique, le Pacifique, l'océan Indien et les mers au nord de l'Australie.
Sources Levesque A., 2005. Les oiseaux marins migrateurs de l'est de l'archipel guadeloupéen. Rapport AMAZONA n° 7 49 p. 49 p. Loriane Mendez. 2017. Variabilité du comportement de recherche alimentaire d'un oiseau marin tropical: le fou à pieds rouges (Sula sula). Sciences agricoles. Université de La Rochelle.
The map presents a summary at the 10 x 10 km grid of the observation data for the species transmitted to the SINP. These data have been subjected to validation filters.
Distribution map from the Atlas of Departmental Biodiversity and Marine Sectors program
Current distribution in metropolitan France
The map presents a reference distribution layer of the species at the scale of departments and marine sectors. The presence and absence data were established by expertise within a network of partners. This reference distribution is used in the validation process of the SINP data at the INPN level.
Distribution map from the Atlas of Departmental Biodiversity and Marine Sectors program
Certain presence
Corresponds to a report on the basis of at least one observation proved within a period of 10 years (20 years for little-known invertebrates) preceding the year and no presumption of extinction since obtaining the last data nor doubt on reproductive and implemented nature of this population. For migratory species, the presence indicated concerns areas of reproduction.
Probable presence
This status is based on one or more of the following criteria:
search of species incomplete but presence of supportive environments;
ecology of the species consistent with the hypothesis of his presence;
the last reliable sighting is older than 10 years compared to the reference date, no recent specific research and no presumption of extinction from that date [vertebrates, invertebrates and plants well studied (rhopalocera, grasshoppers, dragonflies ...)] ;
the last reliable observation being older than 20 years, no recent specific research and no presumption of extinction from that date [poorly known taxa: fungus, many invertebrates...].
Probable or certain absence
This point covers the absence, more difficult by nature to demonstrate than presence. This status is based on one or more of the following criteria:
intensive but unsuccessful targeted research;
lack of adequate environments;
unobserved species while its presence is easily detected;
unlikely presence for historical or biogeographical reasons.
This status must be assigned to a department in which the presence of the species is casual.
Absence due to a proven extinction
Particular case of absence due to a proven extinction less than a half century ago (older disappearances are treated as "no probable or definite").
No information
In the state of knowledge, we can not comment on the presence or absence in the current department. This is the default status when not comprised in one of the previous categories or whenever there is doubt.
French Version
