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ID tip
The red-billed tropicbird measures 90 to 105 cm (35 to 41 in) on average, which includes the 46 to 56 cm (18 to 22 in)-long tail streamers. Without them the tropicbird measures about 48 cm (19 in). It has a wingspan of 99 to 106 cm (39 to 42 in). In overall appearance it is tern-like in shape. Its plumage is white, with black wing tips, and a back that is finely barred in black. It has a black mask that extends up from just above the lores to the sides of its nape, with gray mottling usually seen near the nape and hindneck. The tail has black shaft streaks, as do tail streamers.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Red-billed Tropicbird
One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is June, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Red-billed Tropicbird
The map shades 48 countries with regular records, and 13 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in India, Canada, Portugal, Australia, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Seychelles, Eritrea, Somalia, Guyana, Haiti, Kuwait.
About the Red-billed Tropicbird
The red-billed tropicbird is a tropicbird, one of three closely related species of seabird of tropical oceans. Superficially resembling a tern in appearance, it has mostly white plumage with some black markings on the wings and back, a black mask and, as its common name suggests, a red bill. Most adults have tail streamers that are about two times their body length, with those in males being generally longer than those in females. The red-billed tropicbird itself has three subspecies recognized, including the nominate.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Side by side: Red-billed Tropicbird vs White-tailed Tropicbird · Red-billed Tropicbird vs Red-tailed Tropicbird
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