TROPICBIRD ID REQUESTED - SPOTTED 100NM SOUTH OF DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (1 Viewer)

[Apb_birds]

Hi there,

Tropicbird spotted high in sky OUT AT OPEN SEA HIGH IN THE SKY AND FLYING GRACEFULLY

Seen only from below

The flight pattern contrasted strongly with a confirmed Red Billed Tropicbird we saw a day later, which flew much lower and had many more wingbeats

 

[stuartelsom]

The partially translucent underwing pattern looks good for White-tailed as does the golden-toned tail feathers. The bill looks quite slim so another pro White-tailed feature.

I've attached a pic taken off St Lucia which shows both species together with the White-tailed at the top of the image.

Stu

 

[THE_FERN]

agree: the bill looks yellow to me

 

[njlarsen]

Agree on white-tailed as the black seems limited to the actual primaries.
Niels

 

[Apb_birds]

Thank you Stu, The Fern and Niels! I wonder therefore if you could possibly confirm that this red billed tropicbird we spotted a day later is really a red billed tropic bird? It flew lower and flapped more as I mentioned

 

[THE_FERN]

Yes. Heavy red bill, strong black "mask", no black covert bars on the upper wings