What is "tropicbird"

n. Any of the various seabirds of the family Phaethontidae, typically found in the open ocean in the tropics

n. mostly white web-footed tropical seabird often found far from land [syn: tropic bird, boatswain bird]

Tropicbirds are a family, Phaethontidae, of tropical pelagic seabirds now classified in their own order Phaethontiformes. Their relationship to other living birds is unclear, and they appear to have no close relatives. There are three species in one genus, Phaethon. The scientific names are derived from Ancient Greek phaethon, "sun". They have predominantly white plumage with elongated tail feathers and small feeble legs and feet.