White-tailed Tropicbird

Phaethon lepturus

WTTR

Order: Phaethontiformes | Family: Phaethontidae (Tropicbirds)
White-tailed Tropicbird 1

Bird Description

Rare summer visitor offshore in warmest waters. A loner, often circling briefly above fishing boats. Frequently sits on water or flies high. ID: Tern-like but fatter-bodied and narrow-winged. The fast, shallow wingbeats are most distinctive. Adults seen most often. Yellow bill and diagnostic sharp, black diagonal wing bar (also seen in 2nd-years). Striking, long tail streamers.

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