Tropicbirds – Family Phaethontidae
A small family of only three species of beautiful white seabirds characterized by the wedgeshaped tail with its two elongated central streamers. These birds range far out to sea, are excellent divers and plunge readily into the water. They swim with the tail cocked up. They feed largely on squads so are often active at night. In Java there are only two species.
Key to Javan Tropicbirds
Barred juvenile with black beak…………………….Phaethon rubricauda
Barred juvenile with yellow beak……………………………P. lepturus
Adult with red tail streamers………………………………………P. rubricauda
Adult with white tail streamers……………………………….P. lepturus