top of page

Birds of Zihuatanejo

CLASS AVES

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Chordates (Phylum Chordata)

-Vertebrates (Subphylum Vertebrata)

-Birds (Class Aves)

-Tropicbirds (Order Phaethontiformes)

-Tropicbirds (Family Phaethontidae)

-Tropicbirds (Genus Phaethon)

-Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus)


The Red-billed Tropicbird is a seabird of tropical and subtropical oceans, recognized for its brilliant white plumage, bold black markings around the eyes and wings, and its long, scarlet bill. Most striking are the two elongated central tail streamers that trail behind the bird in flight, sometimes extending well beyond the body length. It is typically found nesting on remote oceanic islands and rocky coastal cliffs. Agile and buoyant in the air, it feeds by plunge-diving into the sea to catch flying fish and squid, often foraging far from land. Unlike many seabirds, it is usually seen alone or in small numbers at sea, though it gathers in loose colonies during breeding season, where it lays a single egg directly on bare ground or cliff ledges.

Red-billed Tropicbird

Phaethon aethereus

Diet

  • Primarily flying fish, squid, and small pelagic fish.

  • Also feeds on crustaceans and other marine organisms caught near the ocean surface.

  • Hunts by soaring over the sea and making shallow plunge-dives or surface dips to capture prey.

Range

  • Found in the tropical Atlantic, eastern Pacific, Caribbean, and Indian Ocean.

  • Along the Pacific coast of Mexico, it occurs from Baja California Sur south through Guerrero, including offshore waters near the Zihuatanejo region.

  • Usually found far offshore but may occasionally be seen from headlands, beaches, or boats.

  • Nests on rocky islands, sea cliffs, and inaccessible coastal ledges.

Male / Female

  • Male: Brilliant white plumage with black markings around the eyes and wings, bright red bill, and extremely long white central tail streamers. Slightly larger with somewhat longer tail streamers.

  • Female: Nearly identical in appearance but usually slightly smaller with marginally shorter tail streamers.

  • Juveniles: Heavily barred black and white with shorter tails and a duller bill.

  • Sexes cannot be reliably distinguished in the field except by subtle size and tail length differences.

Size

  • Length: 76–90 cm (30–35 in), including the elongated tail streamers.

  • Wingspan: 99–106 cm (39–42 in)

  • Weight: 600–800 g (1.3–1.8 lb)

bottom of page