Bookmarkable URL:http://hdl.handle.net/10217/54052
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Pelecaniformes
Family:Phaethontidae
Genus:Phaethon
Genus species:Phaethon aethereus
Red-billed tropic bird
Tropic-birds
Pelecaniformes
Birds
Vertebrates
Chordata
Scientific Classification
Kingdom:AnimaliaPhylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Pelecaniformes
Family:Phaethontidae
Genus:Phaethon
Genus species:Phaethon aethereus
Animal Characteristics
Head-Body Length:90-105 cm
Identification:The red-billed tropic bird is white with a black patch over its eye. The central tail feathers are elongated, and the wingtips are black. Both the back and the wings are barred.
Habitat:Offshore islands, open seas
Diet:Carnivore: fish, cephalopods
Reproduction:Red-billed tropic birds breed in colonies. They nest in holes in the ground or on ledges of rocks and cliffs. Females lay a single egg each season.
Social Structure:Red-billed tropic birds are either solitary or found in pairs.
Behavior:Red-billed tropic birds often settle on the surface of the water to rest. They do not walk well and often shuffle on their belly when on land. They catch much of their food of small fish and marine invertebrates by making shallow plunge dives, often from impressive heights.
Status:No special status
Interesting Facts:Red-billed tropic birds breed on isolated tropical islands such as Ascension Island in the Indian Ocean, Cousin Island in the Seychelles group, and Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands.
Identification:The red-billed tropic bird is white with a black patch over its eye. The central tail feathers are elongated, and the wingtips are black. Both the back and the wings are barred.
Habitat:Offshore islands, open seas
Diet:Carnivore: fish, cephalopods
Reproduction:Red-billed tropic birds breed in colonies. They nest in holes in the ground or on ledges of rocks and cliffs. Females lay a single egg each season.
Social Structure:Red-billed tropic birds are either solitary or found in pairs.
Behavior:Red-billed tropic birds often settle on the surface of the water to rest. They do not walk well and often shuffle on their belly when on land. They catch much of their food of small fish and marine invertebrates by making shallow plunge dives, often from impressive heights.
Status:No special status
Interesting Facts:Red-billed tropic birds breed on isolated tropical islands such as Ascension Island in the Indian Ocean, Cousin Island in the Seychelles group, and Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands.
Other Information
Geographic:Central Africa Date:1972-02 Subjects:gull-like birdRed-billed tropic bird
Tropic-birds
Pelecaniformes
Birds
Vertebrates
Chordata