Order Phaethontiformes reported in Maine and on the adjacent ocean

Order Phaethontiformes reported in Maine and on the adjacent ocean
(Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Aves)

a project of
Maine Natural History Observatory
reproduced here with the permission of the Observatory

(updated 10 March 2025)

You are invited to send to info@vfthomas.com additions/corrections to the list of birds in Order Phaethontiformes as well as information for the tabular key at the bottom of this page that will help distinguish one taxon from another.

Order Phaethontiformes - Tropicbirds

In Maine, 2 species in 1 genus in 1 family (Phaethontidae) have been reported. Click on a link below or scroll down for more information.

Family Phaethontidae
   Phaethon (2 species)
      Phaethon lepturus - White-tailed Tropicbird
      Phaethon aethereus - Red-billed Tropicbird

Family Phaethontidae

Phaethon (Tropicbird)
[information to be added]

Key to the species of Phaethon reported in Maine and on the adjacent ocean (to be completed)

char. 1 char. 2 char. 3 char. 4 char. 5

P. lepturus

P. aethereus

Phaethon lepturus (White-tailed Tropicbird) - This species is rare in Maine.

Phaethon aethereus (Red-billed Tropicbird) - This species is rare in Maine.

	char. 1	char. 2	char. 3	char. 4	char. 5
P. lepturus
P. aethereus