tropicbird

Tropicbird is a common name for tropical seabirds in the family Phaethontidae. The genus Phaethon comprises three living species: red-billed tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus), white-tailed tropicbird (Phaethon lepturus), and red-tailed tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda). They are found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide, and nest on offshore islands, often in remote atolls and cliffs.

Tropicbirds are large, slender seabirds with predominantly white plumage, black markings on the head or wings, very long wings, and extremely long central tail feathers. The red-billed tropicbird has a red bill; the red-tailed tropicbird has a red tail; the white-tailed tropicbird has a long white tail and distinctive facial markings. Adults are subject to little seasonal plumage variation.

Ecology and behavior: They feed on small fish and squid, mainly by surface-seizing or shallow plunging from flight. They often forage over the open sea or near schools of baitfish. They are colonial nesters, laying a single egg in a bare scrape on the ground or on rock ledges. Both parents incubate and rear the chick, and fledging occurs after several weeks. Juveniles disperse widely and can be seen across oceans.

Conservation: Tropicbirds are not uniformly endangered, but their breeding success is tied to the protection of offshore island habitats. Introduced predators such as rats and cats, human disturbance, and coastal development can threaten colonies. Some populations are stable, while others have declined locally.