Phaethontidae (tropicbirds; class Aves, order Pelecaniformes) A family of medium-sized, mainly white sea-birds which have some black on the head and wings, and long, white or red central tail feathers. They have stout, yellow or red bills, and pale legs with black, totipalmate feet. They are highly aerial and pelagic, feed mainly on fish caught by diving, and nest on cliffs. There are three species, including Phaethon, that are wideranging in winter and breed in the Caribbean, and in the Pacific, S. Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.

tropicbirds See PELECANIFORMES; PHAETHONTIDAE.