Bird Guide
Guide to North American Birds
Explore more than 800 North American bird species, learn about their lives and habitats, and how climate change is impacting their ability to survive.
3 birds
White-tailed Tropicbird
Phaethon lepturus
Tropicbirds
At a Glance
In the United States, this beautiful bird is seen mostly in Hawaii and around the Dry Tortugas, Florida. This is the national bird of Bermuda, where the 'Longtail' is familiar to all and is given complete protection.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Habitat
Coasts and Shorelines, Open Ocean
Red-billed Tropicbird
Phaethon aethereus
Tropicbirds
At a Glance
The only tropicbird likely to be seen off the California coast, but rare even there; sometimes seen on boat trips to the southern Channel Islands. Common in parts of the Caribbean, the Red-billed Tropicbird very rarely strays to waters off Florida or elsewhere in the east.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Habitat
Coasts and Shorelines, Open Ocean
Red-tailed Tropicbird
Phaethon rubricauda
Tropicbirds
At a Glance
This graceful seabird ranges widely in the tropical Pacific and Indian Oceans, and may be seen by visitors to Hawaii. In North American waters it has been found far off the coast of California, where it may be a rare but regular visitor more than 100 miles from land. Even more than its relatives, it seems to wander great distances away from its nesting islands.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Habitat
Open Ocean