Red-billed Tropicbird
Phaethon aethereus
Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus) — Seabirds & Tubenoses of Oceans & Seabirds.
Found across 10 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus) is a member of the Phaethontidae family found in Oceans & Seabirds. Adults weigh 750 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Phaethontiformes
- Family Phaethontidae Tropicbirds
- Genus Phaethon
- Species aethereus
Where it lives
TrO tropical and subtropical islands off northwestern Africa, northern South Atlantic, Persian Gulf region, southeastern Vietnam, northwestern Mexico to Ecuador, and Caribbean
Quick facts
- Weight
- 750 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Phaethontidae
- Order
- Phaethontiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Red-billed Tropicbird hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of open sea and coastal waters, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Red-billed Tropicbird is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus) belongs to the Phaethontidae family of the order Phaethontiformes. Its range spans Oceans & Seabirds. Its distribution covers TrO tropical and subtropical islands off nw Africa, n South Atlantic, Persian Gulf region, se Vietnam, nw Mexico to Ecuador, and Caribbean.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 750 g, with a wing length of about 30.9 cm and a tail of around 10 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 24,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Red-billed Tropicbird?
The Red-billed Tropicbird is a large bird that weighs around 750 g.
Where does the Red-billed Tropicbird live?
The Red-billed Tropicbird is found across Oceans & Seabirds with a range covering TrO tropical and subtropical islands off nw Africa, n South Atlantic, Persian Gulf region, se Vietnam, nw Mexico to Ecuador, and Caribbean, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Red-billed Tropicbird belong to?
The Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus) belongs to the Phaethontidae family, in the order Phaethontiformes.
What does the Red-billed Tropicbird eat?
The Red-billed Tropicbird hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Red-billed Tropicbird migrate?
The Red-billed Tropicbird is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
Is the Red-billed Tropicbird endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Red-billed Tropicbird make?
1 real field recording of the Red-billed Tropicbird — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Red-billed Tropicbird's range?
The Red-billed Tropicbird has a mapped global range of about 24,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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