Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus) | Species | ||||||||
 (1/800th sec at f9. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings) DescriptionL: 90 - 105 cm inc. tail streamers; WS: 100 - 115 cm Superficially resembling a tern in appearance, this species has mostly white plumage with some black markings on the wings and back, a black mask and, as its name suggests, a red bill. Most adults have tail streamers that are about twice their body length. This species ranges across the tropical Atlantic, eastern Pacific, and Indian Oceans. It has been recorded in the Canaries, Madeira, Portugal and the British Isles. Nesting takes place in loose colonies on cliff faces that are easy to take off from. Birds feed on fish and squid, catching them by diving into the water. The Red-billed Tropicbird is regarded as being of Least Concern on the IUCN list. Sightings
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