Tropicbird

Quick Take

• One of the tropicbird's courtship moves looks physically impossible for a bird, and that seemingly impossible move is the key to winning a mate. See the courtship display →
• The single physical trait that makes or breaks a tropicbird's chances of finding a mate isn't what you'd expect. Discover the key trait →
• Tropicbird chicks arrive in the world with two major disadvantages that make their survival window surprisingly narrow. Learn about chick survival →
• A human activity happening far from their nesting sites is quietly pushing tropicbird populations toward decline. Explore human-caused threats →

Tropicbirds is the common name given to one of three species of seagoing birds that are part of the Phaethontidae family. The three living species are the white-tailed tropicbird, the red-tailed tropicbird, and the red-billed tropicbird. The white-tailed variety is actually Bermuda’s national bird.

They live in mated pairs within small colonies of a few hundred to a few thousand birds. They can be found on islands, archipelagos, atolls, and other rocky formations in the Atlantic, Pacific, or Indian Oceans.

Tropicbirds prefer warmer climates with waters that are between 75 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit. They are common on the Hawaiian Islands, the Gulf of California, and certain areas of Brazil, Peru, and other Central and South American countries. They have also made homes in Australia, Africa, Indonesia, Bermuda, and other island nations.

These birds have wingspans between 35 and 47 inches (90 and 119 cm) and can have tail feathers or streamers that are between 18.1 and 22 inches (46 and 56 cm) long.

4 Amazing Tropicbird Facts

• The white-tailed Tropicbird is Bermuda’s national bird and is a protected species there.
• Females will seek to breed again ten months after a successful fertilization, or five months after an unsuccessful one.
• They can perform complex maneuvers, including flying backwards, making circles, and fast vertical ascents while courting a potential mate.
• The Tropicbird has a lifespan of 16 to 30 years, with some individuals living beyond 32 years.

Where to Find Tropicbirds

The different species of tropicbirds are found in mostly warm, tropical regions in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. For instance, the white-tailed tropicbird is the national bird of the island of Bermuda. However, humans have also observed this species in the warm waters around Hawaii to the west and in Florida to the east.

The red-billed species ranges across the tropical Atlantic, eastern Pacific, and Indian Oceans — spanning both north and south of the equator — and breeds in locations such as the Galapagos Islands. It has a smaller distribution range than the other two types of tropicbirds. They are often found off the coast of Brazil on the Fernando de Noronha and Abrolhos Archipelago. It has been observed as far east as Namibia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and other nations around the Indian Ocean.

They generally nest in mated pairs close to shore on tall, craggy cliffs. When not nesting, the males and females primarily spend their time far out on the ocean looking for food.

Classification and Scientific Name

There are three living, or extant, Tropicbird species. They are all members of the Phaethontidae family and the genus Phaethon. The red-tailed tropicbird is known as Phaethon rubricauda. The red-billed tropicbird’s scientific name is Phaethon aethereus, while the white-tailed variant is Phaethon lepturus.

Size and Appearance

Tropicbird hatchlings typically have gray down when first born. As they mature, these gray feathers turn pure white. Depending on the species, adult tropicbirds will have different black markings.

The main differences in appearance are aptly described by these birds’ common names. The red-tailed tropicbird has bright white feathers and a distinctive red tail. The red-billed species has a bright red beak to go along with its black facial markings and white body. The white-tailed tropicbird has black face markings, a white body, and a white tail.

Tropicbirds have a wingspan between 37 and 47 inches (94 and 119 cm). Their body is typically between 28 and 47 inches (71 and 120 cm) long, including their elongated central tail feathers.

Behavior

Tropicbirds normally fly solo while hunting on the ocean for food. However, they usually live in monogamous pairs while nesting on the shore. When hunting for food, Tropicbirds most commonly hover above the water and quickly dive down to catch prey.

They have a piercing, loud call that they emit during a flight display. They often emit multiple calls in a row to draw attention to themselves.

Nests

These birds make nests on rock ledges or within cracks in the ground. They often make simple scrape nests as opposed to more complex and larger cup or platform nests. The tropicbird uses its talons to dig a depression in the sand or rock face that is just deep enough to keep its eggs from rolling away.

Diet

Tropicbirds live on islands, atolls, cays, and other rocky formations in the middle of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. As a result, their diet primarily consists of marine life. They prefer to catch flying fish as they leap from the water, but will also eat squid.

They can dive up to 26 feet to catch flying fish and squid near the ocean surface. They will often fly miles out to sea to catch and bring back food for their nesting mates.

Predators and Threats

The tropicbird’s biggest threats and predators are dogs, cats, rats, and other creatures that invade their nests. These creatures generally eat the eggs or young chicks. Larger birds, such as sea eagles, also prey on the tropicbird.

Overfishing by humans is another major threat to the tropicbird population. As the numbers of fish, crustaceans, and squid decline around their island homes, tropicbird numbers have also declined rapidly. Starvation and lack of nutrition are major concerns for the continued survival of these birds.

Reproduction, Babies, and Lifespan

Tropicbirds engage in a complex flying ritual to attract a mate. They will fly in large loops at high speeds and have even been observed flying backwards as part of this effort. The length and fullness of a bird’s tail feathers are the primary factors in attracting an acceptable mate.

Once the birds find a mate, they generally remain in breeding pairs while nesting on an island. The female lays one egg either on a protected rocky cliff or in a ground crack, and will generally roost for 40 to 42 days until the egg hatches. During that time, the male will generally fly out to sea and bring back food for his mate.

Chicks are not only blind but also immobile when they are first born. They typically remain in the nest under their parents’ protection for around 10 to 11 weeks. Throughout that time, both parents take turns feeding their offspring until they are old and large enough to learn to fly.

Population

These birds live in mated pairs when nesting on the islands that they call home. They prefer to live near coral reefs and to have easy access to the ocean for hunting and feeding purposes.

These birds will live in colonies of up to several hundred pairs. For example, 30 colonies in the Galapagos Islands have several thousand individual birds. However, two colonies around the coast of California and Mexico might have only 300 to 400 birds.

The exact population is difficult to estimate due to the species’ dispersed range worldwide. According to IUCN estimates as of 2019, there are about 400,000 white-tailed tropicbirds, between 16,000 and 30,000 red-billed tropicbirds, and approximately 70,000 red-tailed tropicbirds worldwide, and they are classified as Least Concern.