White-tailed Tropicbird Photo Gallery
Adult
A medium-sized seabird of tropical and subtropical seas. Adult is mostly white, with bold black patches on the wings and face, and has two spectacular tail streamers. Some individuals have a peach-colored tinge.
© Russ Morgan / Macaulay LibraryHawaii, March 23, 2018Juvenile
Juvenile lacks adult’s long tail streamers and has barred upperparts.
© Tom Johnson / Macaulay LibraryBermuda, November 21, 2016Adult
A white-and-black seabird with extraordinarily long tail streamers. Nests in cliffs and other rocky crevices but otherwise rarely occurs near land. Flies on strong, steady wingbeats.
© John Fitzpatrick / Macaulay LibraryFebruary 27, 2010Not all videos have soundAdult
Sometimes feeds or rests on the ocean surface, holding long tail up out of the water.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibrarySaint Mark, March 02, 2018Adult
A powerful flier, with rapid, ternlike wingbeats.
© Luke Seitz / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, August 23, 2015Adult
Typically restricted to tropical and subtropical waters, but occasionally strays northward and is regularly blown inland by tropical storms.
© Jeremiah Trimble / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, August 23, 2015Adult
Adult bill color varies geographically: orange to red-orange in Caribbean breeders, yellow-green in Pacific birds, and yellow elsewhere. Note mostly white underwing.
© Allison Miller / Macaulay LibraryLa Digue, April 21, 2019Adult
Nests in cliffs, caves, and other rocky crevices on remote tropical islands.
© Marty O'Malley / Macaulay LibraryHawaii, April 04, 2018Search species and articles
Explore birds based on location and time of year.
View Birds Near MeDon't miss a thing! Join our email list
The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds,
birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation.