The Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo has conducted a breeding study of a small population of longtails that returned to the island from the open seas recently.

Patrick Talbot, a curator at BAMZ, said the study on the birds was conducted in Harrington Sound after the first nest of the birds was spotted on February 8.

However, Mr Talbot said the aquarium received reports of the first sightings of longtails, which were spotted over Dockyard, during the last week of January.

He said: “Signs of nest exploration were confirmed on February 6, and this may seem early, but my study suggests this may be normal.

“It is believed that the older, more experienced birds arrive first in February and start laying eggs in March to be gone before the end of July, thus avoiding the majority of the hurricane season.”

The white-tailed tropicbirds nest in Bermuda from March to October, with the bulk of nesting occurring between April and September.

For the recent breeding study, Mr Talbot checked and observed a tagged longtail on February 13. He explained: “I must handle them to check band numbers, get weights and other data.”

He said only individuals with permits granted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources are allowed to handle longtails, which are a protected species in Bermuda under the Protection of Birds Act 1975.

The birds spend eight months of the year to nest on the island, with the remaining months spent out at sea.

When on island, the birds are usually tagged by BAMZ staff for the collection of data such as their breeding habits.

The tags work in tandem with a wildlife tracking station on Trunk Island, transmitting data on the birds’ location as well as information about their environment.

Mr Talbot said data collected over the years indicate that the birds select the same nest every year and mate with the same partners.