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Phaethontidae - Tropicbirds

Classification

Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Phaethontidae

There are three species of large seabirds in this family. They are found on open tropical oceans, except during breeding season.

Tropicbirds are white and have black makings on their face, wings, and back; short necks; long, pointed wings; long, pointed bills; and long, streaming tail feathers.

Tropicbirds eat fish - especially flying fish. They nest on isolated islands. The female lays a single egg. Both the male and the female incubate the egg and care for the chick. The chick fledges when it is about 12 weeks old.

Phaethontidae Photo Gallery

World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in Wild Extinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.

US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in NH Breeds N.H. Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game

New Hampshire Species		North/Central American Species
None		Red-billed Tropicbird - Phaethon aethereus White-tailed Tropicbird - Phaethon lepturus Red-tailed Tropicbird - Phaethon rubricauda

Other Species Around the World
Africa Asia Australia/Oceania Europe North America South America NH
Red-billed Tropicbird - Phaethon aethereus White-tailed Tropicbird - Phaethon lepturus Red-tailed Tropicbird - Phaethon rubricauda
Additional Information Key: Profile Photos Video Audio Red-billed Tropicbird - Phaethon aethereus The red-billed tropicbird is found on coasts and islands in the tropical Atlantic, eastern Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Source: Internet Bird Collection Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No Red-billed Tropicbird - Phaethon aethereus The red-billed tropicbird is the largest species of tropicbird. Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Red-tailed Tropicbird - Phaethon rubricauda The red-tailed tropicbird is found on coasts and islands in Pacific and Indian Oceans. Source: Internet Bird Collection Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No Red-tailed Tropicbird - Phaethon rubricauda The red-tailed tropicbird has long red tail feathers. Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes White-tailed Tropicbird - Phaethon lepturus The white-tailed tropicbird is found on coasts and islands in the tropical Atlantic, western Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Source: Internet Bird Collection Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No White-tailed Tropicbird - Phaethon lepturus The white-tailed tropicbird is the smallest species of tropicbird. Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes

Phaethontidae - Tropicbirds

Classification

New Hampshire Species

North/Central American Species

Other Species Around the World

Additional Information

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