not images usually inspired by the graceful longtail.

"Competition for nest sites often leads to vicious and bloody fights between adults that can result in the death of both birds,'' the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo's head aquarist, Jennifer Gray, explained.

"It all begins in March when the first White-tailed Tropicbirds (longtails) arrive to engage in aerial courtship and nurture single eggs laid in cliff crevices surrounding the Island,'' she added.

Ironically, the start of the breeding season also heralds the beginning of one of the busiest times of the year for the BAMZ's rehabilitation team.

Orphaned chicks, fledgling birds which failed their first flight, and birds dragged from their nests by humans, cats, or dogs, are just some of the victims which found their way to the centre.

"On March 31 of this year, the first adult longtail for the season literally fell out of the sky and was admitted into the BAMZ Rehabilitation Centre,'' Ms Gray said.

"It was to be followed by five more adults with injuries ranging from injured and broken wings to one poor animal left to die with hundreds of bee stings embedded in its flesh.'' This year a record total of 47 longtails were admitted to the centre for care and treatment. Aquarium staff successfully rehabilitated and released 22 of the birds.

But five were dead on arrival, 17 died later and four were euthanised.

ANIMALS ALS