Sandwich tern Sterna sandvicensis


Identification Tips:

Adult alternate:

Adult basic:

Juvenile:

Similar species:

The smaller Sterna terns have shorter black or black-tipped bills (not yellow-tipped), slimmer bodies and wings and a more deeply-forked tail. Larger terns have red or orange bills.

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.