Remember Troppee?

(What is a “Troppee” bird, you ask?)

Well, that happens to be the affectionate nickname we have given to Seal Island’s resident Red-billed Tropicbird!

Hailing from the Caribbean, Troppee has been coming back to Seal Island and Matinicus Rock every summer for the last eight years. This is highly unusual behavior for Red-billed Tropicbirds, who are typically sedentary.

He is regularly seen flying over the tern colony, and he is fond of flying quickly through the colony and “cackling” (listen to its call here). Throughout the day he can be found resting underneath his favorite rock.

Researchers are still unsure why he is here, but he seems to enjoy it — and birders from all over America flock to see him in all his glory!