Phaethon lepturus

White-tailed Tropicbird

Family: Phaethontidae · Class: Aves · Order: Phaethontiformes

The White-tailed Tropicbird is a medium-sized seabird with distinctive elongated central tail feathers that can extend up to 40 centimeters (16 inches) beyond the rest of the tail. Adults measure 71-80 centimeters (28-31 inches) in total length, including the tail streamers, with a wingspan of 89-96 centimeters (35-38 inches). Body weight ranges from 230-445 grams (0.5-1.0 pounds). The plumage is predominantly white with black markings on the outer primaries and a black stripe extending from the bill through the eye. Juveniles lack the elongated tail feathers and display more extensive black barring on the upperparts. The White-tailed Tropicbird has a pantropical distribution, breeding on oceanic islands across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. In the eastern Pacific, the species breeds on islands off the coast of Mexico, including the Revillagigedo Islands. While primarily a vagrant to California waters, sightings have been documented off the southern California coast, particularly near the Channel Islands and in waters extending from San Diego County to Monterey County. Most California records occur during late spring through early fall when birds disperse from breeding colonies. This species inhabits tropical and subtropical oceanic waters, typically remaining far from continental shores except when breeding. Tropicbirds prefer warm waters above 24°C (75°F) and are most commonly observed over deep oceanic waters beyond the continental shelf. During breeding, they select coastal cliffs, rocky ledges, and occasionally low vegetation on remote oceanic islands for nesting sites. White-tailed Tropicbirds are highly pelagic, spending most of their lives at sea. They feed primarily by plunge-diving from heights of 6-20 meters (20-65 feet) to capture flying fish, squid, and crustaceans near the surface. Their diet consists mainly of fish species in the families Exocoetidae (flying fish) and Belonidae (needlefish). Breeding occurs year-round in different parts of their range, with peak activity varying by location. Females lay a single egg in a shallow scrape or crevice, with both parents sharing incubation duties for approximately 40-46 days. The chick remains in the nest for 70-85 days before fledging. The White-tailed Tropicbird is not federally listed under the Endangered Species Act and maintains stable populations globally. The IUCN Red List classifies the species as Least Concern as of December 2025. However, breeding colonies face localized threats from introduced predators, habitat modification, and human disturbance on nesting islands. Climate change poses potential long-term risks through altered ocean temperatures and prey distribution. In California waters, the species remains an uncommon visitor, with sightings typically associated with warm water events such as El Niño conditions that bring tropical species northward along the coast.

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, and more.