Red-billed Tropicbird vs Red-tailed Tropicbird
Phaethon aethereus compared with Phaethon rubricauda
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Red-billed Tropicbird | Red-tailed Tropicbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phaethon aethereus | Phaethon rubricauda |
| Order | Phaethontiformes | Phaethontiformes |
| Family | Phaethontidae | Phaethontidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 61.8 cm (24.3 in) | 66.1 cm (26.0 in) |
| Weight | 632.0 g (22.29 oz) | 599.0 g (21.13 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Red-billed Tropicbird
Least Concern
Red-tailed Tropicbird
About These Birds
Red-billed Tropicbird
Red-billed Tropicbird, 46–56 cm plus 46–56 cm tail streamers, is the largest tropicbird, found in the tropical Atlantic, Indian, and eastern Pacific Oceans. White plumage with fine black barring, red bill, extremely long white tail streamers. Plunge-dives for flying fish and squid. Pelagic; comes ashore only to breed.
Red-tailed Tropicbird
Red-tailed Tropicbird, 45–56 cm plus 30–35 cm red tail streamers, is the most distinctive tropicbird, found across the Indo-Pacific. Almost pure white with a red bill and the distinctive red tail. Plunge-dives for flying fish and squid over warm tropical waters. Breeds on coral islands; mostly pelagic otherwise.