The Tropicbird’s Tale
Written and Illustrated by Erro Lehnert
A children's tale based on the real-life story of a Red-billed Tropicbird who has returned to summer in Maine. Follow the small chick as he learns to fly and follows his Roseate Tern friends north, and searches for friendship and belonging.
The story of the Red-billed Tropicbird in this book is based on“Troppy,” the special Red-billed Tropicbird that been delighting birders for over 15 years. Every year, Troppy travels over 2,000 miles to Seal Island National Wildlife Refuge in Maine. This beautiful bird is usually on seen by those lucky enough to meet it in the Caribbean or Pacific Islands, specifically the Galâpagos. But for those who cannot travel to such remote places, Troppy has given hundreds of people from all corners of North America a chance to see a Red-billed Tropicbird.
How did Troppy end up in Maine, anyway? Let’s see who he follows on his adventure!
Everybody lucky enough to see Troppy loves him- but poor Troppy, unfortunately, has a miserable social life. Because he migrates to the wrong place, his attempts to find a mate always go awry. Will Troppy ever find love in the Maine ecosystem that has become his annual summer home?
Meet the residents of Seal Island! Atlantic Puffins are a familiar face in Maine. What other birds will the Red-billed Tropicbird meet as he looks for friendship?