Habitat and Range Description Food Breeding Sounds More Images Recent Literature

Tropicbirds

Order: PelecaniformesWhite-tailed Tropicbird

Family: Phaethontidae

3 species

HABITAT AND RANGE:

tropical oceans worldwide;

DESCRIPTION:

40-50 cm, excluding middle rectrices, which may equal entire body length; bill stout, decurved with serrated cutting edge; head large, neck short; white plumage with black in wings and head; wings long and pointed; short legs;

FOOD:

pelagic, feeding on fish by plunging from the air; pigeon-like flight;

BREEDING:

sexes alike; single egg clutch; nidicolous young; monogamous; bi-parental care

SOUNDS:

MORE IMAGES:

RECENT LITERATURE:

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(Image taken from Peterson, Roger. Eastern Birds. Houghton Mifflin: Boston, 1980.)