Like a small Red-billed Tropicbird, with extremely long tail streamers. Mostly white. Head, back and underparts white. Short, dark eye-line. Fairly small yellowish bill. Adults have a dark patch on wing and wingtips. Feet and legs yellowish with black webbing. Only adults have tail streamers. In flight, striking black wingtips and bars on upper wing coverts. Juveniles are finely barred on back, with pale bill and short tail. Red-billed and Red-tailed Tropicbirds can be distinguished from this species by their larger size and bill, as well as plumage details.

Length: 38 (cm) Wingspan: 94 (cm)

Habitat:

Highly pelagic; nests on tropical islands.

Behavior:

Often seen resting or flying over warm, open ocean individually or in pairs. Can capture airborne flying fish.

Feeding:

Plunges into water to catch fish or squid.