tropicbird

/ ˈtrɒpɪkˌbɜːd /

noun

1. any aquatic bird of the tropical family Phaethontidae , having long slender tail feathers and a white plumage with black markings: order Pelecaniformes (pelicans, cormorants, etc)

Word History and Origins

Origin of tropicbird¹

C17: so called because it is found in the tropical regions

Example Sentences

A single red-billed tropicbird, a species commonly seen in the Caribbean and tropical oceans, has been seen off the Maine coast in the summer for years.

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A single red-billed tropicbird, a species commonly seen in the Caribbean and tropical oceans, has been seen off Maine in the summer for years.

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Ms. Miller planned to turn the tropicbird over to Mr. Sweet, who was eager to collect as many accidental visitors as possible.

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The red-tailed tropicbird of Christmas Island is known for its acrobatics.

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“It looked similar to a tern species and then I saw the long tail,” she said of the tropicbird.

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