Tropicbirds range in size from 76 cm to 102 cm in length and 94 cm to 112 cm in wingspan.
Their plumage is predominantly white, with elongated central tail feathers.
The three species have different combinations of black markings on the face, back, and wings.
Their bills are large, powerful and slightly decurved.
Their heads are large and their necks are short and thick.
They have totipalmate feet (that is, all four toes are connected by a web).
The legs of a tropicbird are located far back on their body, making walking impossible, so that they can only move on land by pushing themselves forward with their feet.

The tropicbirds' call is typically a loud, piercing, shrill, but grating whistle, or crackle.
These are often given in a rapid series when they are in a display flight at the colony.
In old literature they were referred to as boatswain (bo'sun'/bosun) birds due their loud whistling calls.
Tropicbirds range in size from 76 cm to 102 cm in length and 94 cm to 112 cm in wingspan. Their plumage is predominantly white, with elongated central tail feathers. The three species have different combinations of black markings on the face, back, and wings. Their bills are large, powerful and slightly decurved. Their heads are large and their necks are short and thick. They have totipalmate feet (that is, all four toes are connected by a web). The legs of a tropicbird are located far back on their body, making walking impossible, so that they can only move on land by pushing themselves forward with their feet.
The tropicbirds' call is typically a loud, piercing, shrill, but grating whistle, or crackle. These are often given in a rapid series when they are in a display flight at the colony. In old literature they were referred to as boatswain (bo'sun'/bosun) birds due their loud whistling calls.
Tropicbird