Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves (Birds) Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Phaethontidae |
White-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon lepturus) White-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon lepturus) is a rare visitor in coastal regions of India. Size: 39 cm. Identification: Wingspan: 37 inches. Sexes similar. Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed. Tern-sized bird with white head and body. Outer primaries black. Dark eye patch. Adult has long white tail streamers and yellow to orange bill. Immature lacks tail streamers.
Similar species: Adult Red-billed
Tropicbird is larger with a slower wingbeat and lacks black patches on
upperwing. Immature Red-billed has less distinct barring on the back. Adult
Red-tailed Tropicbird also lacks the
black patches on the upperwing. |
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