# Red-Billed Tropicbird (*phaethon aethereus*) The Red-Billed Tropicbird is a beautiful bird with a long tail and bright red bill. It loves to glide over the ocean and is known for its graceful flight. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Habitat:** Coastal areas and rocky islands near warm oceans. - **Also known as:** Phaethon, Red-Billed Tern, Tropicbird ![Red-Billed Tropicbird](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/20180811-Red-billed_tropicbird_at_Plaza_Sur_%280374%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Nicolas Völcker, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20180811-Red-billed_tropicbird_at_Plaza_Sur_%280374%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Red-Billed Tropicbird is a sleek, mostly white seabird with black markings on its wings and a vibrant red, conical bill. It has two incredibly long, thin red-orange tail streamers that can be as long as its body, making it distinctively elegant in flight. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Phaethontiformes - **Family:** Phaethontidae - **Genus:** Phaethon ## Interesting facts - Despite being seabirds, they cannot walk well on land due to their feet placement. - These birds get all their freshwater by drinking seawater, thanks to special glands! - They often nest in small crevices on remote island cliffs, safe from many predators. - Tropicbirds are one of only three species in their entire bird family, Phaethontidae! ## Special abilities - **Ocean Hunter:** Red-Billed Tropicbird can plunge-dive from high altitudes to catch fish because of its streamlined body and strong neck muscles. - **Aerial Glider:** Red-Billed Tropicbird has long, pointed wings that help them glide effortlessly over vast ocean expanses with minimal effort. - **Tail Streamer Display:** Red-Billed Tropicbird has extra-long tail feathers that act as visual signals, used to attract mates and display health. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 75-96 cm - **Wingspan:** 99-106 cm - **Weight:** 0.6-0.8 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1 - **Incubation:** 40-46 days ## Diet & Feeding They mainly eat fish and squid caught by spectacular high-speed dives into the ocean. - **Primary Foods:** flying fish, squid, crustaceans, anchovies, sardines - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Black Rat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-rat) (*Rattus rattus*) — Introduced rats often prey on their eggs and chicks. - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — Feral cats can hunt adult birds and their young on islands. - **Parasitizes:** [Magnificent Frigatebird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/magnificent-frigatebird) (*Fregata magnificens*) — Frigatebirds often harass them to steal their fresh catch. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Red-Billed Tropicbird? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Red-Billed Tropicbird? 75-96 cm ### What is Red-Billed Tropicbird's wingspan? 99-106 cm ### How much does Red-Billed Tropicbird weigh? 0.6-0.8 kg ### How long does Red-Billed Tropicbird live? 10-15 years ### How fast can Red-Billed Tropicbird move? 60 km/h ### What does Red-Billed Tropicbird eat? They mainly eat fish and squid caught by spectacular high-speed dives into the ocean. ### Where is Red-Billed Tropicbird usually found? Coastal areas and rocky islands near warm oceans. ## Where to spot - [Shoreline Park South](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shoreline-park-south) — Florida, US · Park ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Red-Billed Tropicbird: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-billed-tropicbird)