Red-billed Tropicbird
Image: patrickobrien3 (cc-by-nc)
NameRed-billed Tropicbird
Common NameRed-billed Tropicbird
Scientific NamePhaethon aethereus
FamilyPhaethontidae
Wingspan (cm)102.5
Length (cm)49
Weight (g)450
Plumage DetailsAdults are mostly white with a black stripe through the eye and black primary tips on the wings. The back and upperwings often have fine black barring, which can be difficult to see at a distance. Juveniles lack the long tail streamers and have more extensive black barring on the back.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include harsh, grating 'kraa-kraa-kraa' calls, often given in flight, especially when approaching nesting colonies or during courtship displays. They can also produce piercing whistles and squawks.
Primary Dietpiscivore
Primary Habitatspelagic, tropical ocean, subtropical ocean, remote islands
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound across tropical and subtropical regions of the Atlantic, eastern Pacific, and Indian Oceans. It breeds on islands in the Caribbean, eastern Pacific, and parts of the Indian Ocean.
Identifying Featuresbright red bill, long white central tail streamers (adults), white body plumage, black eye stripe, black primary tips on wings
Description
The Red-billed Tropicbird is a striking pelagic seabird known for its predominantly white plumage, long central tail streamers, and bright red bill. It spends most of its life at sea, soaring gracefully over tropical and subtropical oceans, only coming to land to breed on remote islands.
