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Tropicbirds

Tropicbirds, the only members of the Phaethontidae family and Phaethontiformes order, are tropical seabirds renowned for their predominantly white plumage, distinctive elongated tail feathers, and weak legs and feet. These seabirds, which consist of three species within the genus Phaethon, were once mistakenly classified within the Pelecaniformes order. However, genetic research has revealed their closest relatives to be the sunbittern and kagu of the Eurypygiformes. Described for the first time by Carl Linnaeus in 1758, these birds also have a fossil record with several extinct genera known. Tropicbirds range in size and display various combinations of black markings on their bodies and have loud, distinctive calls. Typically feeding on fish by plunge-diving, they maintain solitary or paired lifestyles except during breeding season. During this time, they perform elaborate courtship rituals. They nest in holes or crevices, lay a single egg, and share incubation duties between partners. The slow-growing chicks eventually fledge after developing fat reserves, a trait believed to be an adaptation to their pelagic feeding challenges.

Regions

A photo of a Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus)

Red-billed Tropicbird

Phaethon aethereus
A photo of a Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda)

Red-tailed Tropicbird

Phaethon rubricauda
A photo of a White-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon lepturus)

White-tailed Tropicbird

Phaethon lepturus
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What Our Birders Say
SuperOliviaGirl
Really great app
It’s easy to use and it’s fun to log the birds you notice on a walk or just in your garden. There’s a option to record the birds you see in a session which is really nice. Good excuse to stop for a while and just watch birds. I am also enjoying the information part where you can find out fact about birds from all over the world.
Ellesse_W
Learning Birding with Birda
I’m relatively new to birding as a hobby, and Birda is a great way to keep track off all the species I see. I’m still working on my ID skills, but the app is great for figuring out potential species, and the online community is so friendly and helpful. Definitely recommend Birda to both early and serious birders! 🐦
Nick S
Work together with community
Been loving using this app to log my bird sightings and work together with community members to identify different birds. I've already learned a lot since I started about a month ago!
Stewart W
Fantastic to be involved
Fantastic to be involved, great for mental health and gets you responding with the Challenges that are to takd part in.
Carl B
Helped me to identify more birds
Love this app and has helped me to identify more birds. The challenges and badges are great for keeping the motivation going to get out and keep birding.
Paul F
Very good database
Highly recommend. It great that this app shows you male Vs female variations when posting. Very good database I'm really impressed.
Emcil24
A Friendly Place
I love using the bird app, I have a pretty good knowledge of birds. But I do have some gaps in it, so it’s nice to have a safe space to check on a sighting to confirm the species. It’s really enjoyable and I love the badges you can collect. It’s like a real life Pokémon go.
Jane N
A great app
Enjoying it immensely and finding it useful too. Recording the different birds and counting them is showing me how the present climate is affecting them all. I've trebled the numbers by planting native hedging. A great app.
Abi.M
Awesome App
I really enjoy using this app! It is such a friendly community of bird-lovers who are happy to help if I need ID advice. It’s been great motivation to get outdoors and go birding more! 10/10 😍😍
D3Nature
Great app for learning Birds
I’ve been using the app for a couple of months and love it....Someone said it’s like a real life Pokémon Go for birds. They’re not far off! It’s something that the family can do that gets you out and about. Well worth downloading no matter your age.
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