Red-tailed Tropicbird vs White-necked Petrel

In short

The Red-tailed Tropicbird and White-necked Petrel can be distinguished by their tail and wing patterns. The Red-tailed Tropicbird has distinctive long red tail streamers and a mostly white body, while the White-necked Petrel lacks these streamers and has a more uniform grayish upperwing with a white neck and underparts.

Identification tips

1. Look for the long red tail streamers of the Red-tailed Tropicbird. 2. Note the grayish upperwing and lack of tail streamers in the White-necked Petrel. 3. Observe behavior: tropicbirds perform aerial displays, while petrels glide over the water. 4. Consider habitat: tropicbirds near islands, petrels in open ocean.

Size

The Red-tailed Tropicbird is generally larger with a more robust body compared to the slimmer White-necked Petrel.

Plumage

Red-tailed Tropicbirds have a predominantly white plumage with long red tail streamers, whereas White-necked Petrels have a grayish upperwing, a white neck, and underparts, lacking the long tail streamers.

Behaviour

Red-tailed Tropicbirds are often seen performing aerial displays with their tail streamers visible, while White-necked Petrels are more likely to be observed gliding low over the ocean.

Habitat

Red-tailed Tropicbirds are typically found near tropical and subtropical islands, often nesting on remote cliffs, whereas White-necked Petrels are pelagic and mostly seen far from land except during breeding season.

Voice

Vocalizations are not a primary distinguishing feature between these species in the field.