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Species
Phaethon lepturus Daudin, 1802
Nomenclature
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Family: PhaethontidaeGenus: Phaethon
Species:
Phaethon lepturus Daudin, 1802
Usage:
valid
Vernacular names:
Vernacular name:
White-tailed Tropicbird, Golden Bosunbird, Yellow billed Tropicbird
Media
SUMMARY
The tropicbird's feathers are mostly white, but it has black markings on the upper wings, and a black eye-stripe. It has a long white tail with a black stripe on top and a down-curved bill that is orange or red-orange. It has short legs and its feet are webbed. Since the tropicbird's legs are set far back on its body, it is a good swimmer, but it is awkward on land. Tropicbirds do not have bare skin pouches on their throats the way pelicans and other birds in their group do