Red-billed Tropicbird
NameRed-billed Tropicbird
Common NameRed-billed Tropicbird
Scientific NamePhaethon aethereus
FamilyPhaethontidae
Wingspan (cm)100
Length (cm)48
Weight (g)435
Plumage DetailsAdults are mostly white with a black stripe through the eye, black primary shafts, and fine black barring on the back. The bill is bright red, and two central tail feathers extend into very long white streamers, often with a black shaft.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include harsh, rattling calls, often described as 'kreek-kreek' or 'rattle-rattle', and high-pitched screaming notes, especially around breeding colonies or when in flight.
Primary Dietpiscivore
Primary Habitatstropical ocean, remote islands, coastal cliffs
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, eastern Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Breeding colonies are typically on remote oceanic islands and coastal cliffs.
Identifying Featuresbright red bill, long white tail streamers, black eye stripe, predominantly white plumage, black primary shafts
Description
The Red-billed Tropicbird is a striking seabird known for its predominantly white plumage, bright red bill, and two extremely long tail streamers. These pelagic birds spend most of their lives over tropical oceans, only coming to remote islands to breed.
