Red-billed Tropicbird (species: Phaethon aethereus) in Birds of Ireland (Gaia Guide)
Birds of Ireland > Aves > Pelecaniformes > Phaethontidae > Phaethon aethereus (gallery)
Phaethon aethereus
Red-billed Tropicbird


©Dominic Sherony: Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus)

©ConstantineD: Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus)

©Mark Yokoyama: Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus)

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Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Pelecaniformes
Family Phaethontidae
Genus Phaethon
Species Phaethon aethereus

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Colours

                   

Distinguishing features

The long wings have black markings on the flight feathers. There is black through the eye. The bill is red. Sexes are similar, although males average longer tails.

Juveniles lack the tail streamers, are greyer-backed, and have a yellow bill. (Wikipedia)

Size

  • Up to 50 cm (Length of specimen)

Wingspan

  • Up to 100 cm

Synonyms

Distribution

Distribution and habitat preferences

It occurs in the tropical Atlantic, eastern Pacific and Indian Oceans. (Wikipedia)

Behaviour

It breeds on tropical islands laying a single egg directly onto the ground or a cliff ledge. (Wikipedia)

Diet

They feed on fish and squid, but are poor swimmers. (Wikipedia)

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