Red-billed Tropicbird
Phaethon aethereus
The Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus) is a uncommon tropicbird found in 61 countries, weighing about 750 g. The red-billed tropicbird is a tropicbird, one of three closely related species of seabird of tropical oceans.
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. The subspecies mesonauta is distinguished from the nominate by the rosy tinge of its fresh plumage, and the subspecies indicus can be differentiated by its smaller size, more…
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
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.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in India, Canada, Portugal, Australia, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Seychelles, Eritrea, Somalia, Guyana, Haiti, Kuwait.
When to see it
The Red-billed Tropicbird can be seen all year round, with peak activity in June. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Red-billed Tropicbird?
- 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. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Red-billed Tropicbird?
- The Red-billed Tropicbird is a large sized bird weighing about 750 g.
- Where can you see a Red-billed Tropicbird?
- The Red-billed Tropicbird occurs in 61 countries, including Ecuador, the United States, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago and St. Martin.
- What birds look similar to a Red-billed Tropicbird?
- The Red-billed Tropicbird is most easily confused with the Red-tailed Tropicbird and the White-tailed Tropicbird.
- Is the Red-billed Tropicbird endangered?
- The Red-billed Tropicbird is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Red-billed Tropicbird for real
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