Tropic Birds

The red-billed tropic bird (P. aethereus) occurs in the tropical Caribbean, Atlantic, eastern Pacific, and Indian Oceans.

The tail-streamer of this species is white, and the upper parts of its body are barred with white and brown.

The red-tailed tropic bird (P. rubricauda) occurs in the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans, but in different regions of those oceans than the red-billed tropic bird. The red-tailed tropic bird has a bright-white body, and a red streamer.

The white-tailed or yellow-billed tropic bird (P. sepeurus) occurs in all of the tropical oceans. This smallest tropic bird has a white body, with black patches on its wings and back, a relatively small, yellow beak, and a white streamer.

None of the tropic birds breed in North America. However, all species are rare visitors to coastal waters of the southern United States, especially after a heavy wind-storm. The red-billed tropic bird is a regular but rare bird off southern California, while the white-tailed tropic bird occurs off the southeastern states in the warm Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean. The red-tailed tropic bird is a very rare visitor to southern California.