Red-tailed Tropic Bird

The Red-tailed Tropicbird looks like a stout tern, and hence closely resembles the other two tropicbird species. It has generally white plumage, often with a pink tinge, a black crescent around the eye and a thin red tail feather. It has a bright red bill and black feet.

The Red-tailed Tropic Bird is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

Red-tailed Tropic Bird at Midway Atoll Tropicbirds range in size from 76 cm-102 cm in length and 94 cm-112 cm in wingspan. Their plumage is predominantly white, with elongated central tail feathers. The three species have a different combination of black markings on the face, back, and wings. Their bills are large, powerful and slightly decurved. Their heads are large and their necks are short and thick. More

The Red-Tailed Tropic Bird is found mostly in the tropical latitudes of the Pacific and Indian oceans. It is easily recognizable because of its long bright red central tail feathers. - Details Like other species of tropic-bird, the Red-Tailed Tropic Bird is a pelagic bird, that is, a bird that lives in open oceans and normally only come ashore to breed. It preys on small fish and squid. More

* Red-tailed tropic bird (Phaethon rubricauda). Red-tailed tropic bird (Phaethon rubricauda). * Social weaver (Philetairus socius). Social weaver (Philetairus socius). * Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps). Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps). * Western bluebird (Sialia mexicana). Western bluebird (Sialia mexicana). * Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra). Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra). More

* Red-tailed tropic bird (Phaethon rubricauda). Red-tailed tropic bird (Phaethon rubricauda). More

Red-tailed tropic bird (Phaeton rubricauda) chick Red-tailed tropic bird (Phaeton rubricauda) chick Red-tailed tropic bird (Phaeton rubricauda) chick Red-tailed tropic bird (Phaeton rubricauda) chick Red-tailed tropic bird (Phaeton rubricauda) chick Red-tailed tropic bird (Phaeton rubricauda) chick Red-tailed tropic bird (Phaeton rubricauda) chick Red-tailed tropic bird (Phaeton rubricauda) chick Red-tailed tropic bird (Phaeton rubricauda) chick Red-tailed tropic bird (Phaeton rubricauda) chick Red-tailed tropic bird (Phaeton rubricauda) chick More

The Red-Tailed Tropic Bird (Phaethon rubricauda) has been recorded nesting on Lady Elliot Island since 1983. There are 23 nest locations on the island with up to 8 pairs of birds having been recorded nesting on the island at one time. Movements and ecology of these birds at sea is still poorly understood as they are a truly oceanic bird. Since 1993 there has been a banding program carried out on Lady Elliot with the assistance of members of QPWS. More