White-tailed Tropicbird

The white-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon lepturus, presents as a graceful seabird, the most diminutive of its kin within the tropical oceans. Adorned with elongated central tail feathers, the adult's total length can reach a striking 71-80 cm, with a wingspan of 89-96 cm. Its plumage is predominantly white, accented with a distinctive black band on the inner wing and a black eye-mask. The bill, ranging from orange-yellow to orange-red, adds a splash of color to its elegant form.

Identification Tips

To distinguish the white-tailed tropicbird from its relatives, note the pure white back and the absence of a red bill, a feature of the red-billed tropicbird. The long tail streamers are particularly notable, and the sexes are similar in appearance, though males may boast slightly longer tails. Juveniles can be identified by their green-yellow bills, lack of tail streamers, and finely barred backs.

Habitat

This tropicbird favors tropical islands for breeding, where it lays a single egg directly on the ground or a cliff ledge.

Distribution

The species is widespread across the tropical Atlantic, western Pacific, and Indian Oceans. It also has breeding populations on certain Caribbean islands and has been known to nest as far north as Bermuda.

Behaviour

Outside the breeding season, the white-tailed tropicbird roams widely across the oceans, occasionally venturing far from its usual haunts. It is a skilled hunter, diving from heights of up to 20 meters to catch fish and squid, though it is less adept in swimming. The bird often feeds in pairs and may hover before swooping down to capture prey.

Song & Calls

The white-tailed tropicbird's vocalizations are a high-pitched, screamed "keee-keee-krrrt-krrt-krrt."

Breeding

Breeding is not tied to a strict annual cycle but is influenced by climate and the availability of suitable nesting sites. The interval between breeding attempts can be as short as 5 months following an unsuccessful attempt or up to 10 months after a successful one.

Similar Species

The red-billed tropicbird is the closest relative and can be differentiated by its red bill and lack of a black wing bar.

Diet and Feeding

The diet consists mainly of flying fish, squid, and crabs. The white-tailed tropicbird employs a hunting technique of diving from great heights for aquatic prey and catching flying fish mid-air.

Conservation status

Currently, the white-tailed tropicbird is classified as Least Concern. While population trends are not well-documented, there are no specific conservation programs targeting this species, though it is included in broader conservation efforts for American waterfowl. Further studies on its biology and monitoring of breeding colonies are recommended.