White-tailed Tropicbird
Phaethon lepturus
The White-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon lepturus) is a uncommon tropicbird found in 77 countries, weighing about 328 g. The white-tailed tropicbird or yellow-billed tropicbird is a tropicbird.
About the White-tailed Tropicbird
The white-tailed tropicbird or yellow-billed tropicbird is a tropicbird. It is the smallest of three closely related seabirds of the tropical oceans and smallest member of the order Phaethontiformes. It is found in the tropical Atlantic, western Pacific and Indian Oceans. It also breeds on some Caribbean islands, and a few pairs have started nesting recently on Little Tobago, joining the red-billed tropicbird colony. In addition to the tropical Atlantic, it nests as far north as Bermuda, where it is locally called a "longtail".
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The adult white-tailed tropicbird is a slender, mainly white bird, 71–80 cm (28–31 in) long including the very long central tail feathers, which double its total length. The wingspan is 89–96 cm (35–38 in). The bird has a black band on the inner wing, a black eye-mask, and an orange-yellow to orange-red bill. The bill colour, pure white back and black wing bar distinguish this species from the red-billed tropicbird. The white-tailed tropicbird breeds on tropical islands, laying a single egg directly onto the ground or a cliff ledge.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in India, Colombia, Portugal, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Tanzania, Venezuela, Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Belize, Guyana.
When to see it
The White-tailed Tropicbird can be seen all year round, with peak activity in March. It is a resident species across most of its range.
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Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a White-tailed Tropicbird?
- The adult white-tailed tropicbird is a slender, mainly white bird, 71–80 cm (28–31 in) long including the very long central tail feathers, which double its total length. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a White-tailed Tropicbird?
- The White-tailed Tropicbird is a large sized bird weighing about 328 g.
- Where can you see a White-tailed Tropicbird?
- The White-tailed Tropicbird occurs in 77 countries, including the United States, Bermuda, Palau, the Seychelles and Réunion.
- What birds look similar to a White-tailed Tropicbird?
- The White-tailed Tropicbird is most easily confused with the Red-billed Tropicbird and the Red-tailed Tropicbird.
- Is the White-tailed Tropicbird endangered?
- The White-tailed Tropicbird is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
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