Tropicbird, Red-billed

Conservation status:

Rare Resident Breeder

Description:

Unlikely to be confused with any other sea bird in the Middle East. Plump-bodied, white with long white-tail streamers and red bill. White plumage is relieved by black eye-stripe, black outer primaries and narrow black barring on upperparts and coverts. Juvenile lacks tail streamers, has black-tipped tail, yellow bill and blackish collar. Flight is direct with fast wing-beats, interspersed with glides on horizontally held wings, usually fairly high.