Seabird order
Phaethontiformes
Tropicbirds
Tropicbirds are elegant white seabirds of the tropical oceans, known for the long streamers that trail behind them in flight.
How to recognize them
Tropicbirds are mostly white with black markings. Adults have two greatly elongated central tail feathers. The three species, the red-billed, red-tailed and white-tailed tropicbirds, are separated by bill color, tail streamers and wing pattern.
Life at sea
Tropicbirds range far over warm oceans. They hunt by plunge diving for fish and squid, often flying high before diving.
A lineage of their own
Tropicbirds were long grouped with pelicans. Genetic and anatomical evidence shows they are a separate, ancient lineage. Fossils of their relatives date back to the Paleocene, shortly after the dinosaurs.
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