Gull-billed tern Sterna nilotica

Identification Tips:

• Sexes similar
• Medium-sized, robust tern
• Thick, blunt, black bill
• Short, notched tail
• Pale underwings

Adult alternate:

• Black legs
• Black cap
• White face, neck, breast, and belly
• Pale gray back and upperwings

Adult basic:

• Similar to adult alternate, but has a white forehead and dark streaking about the rear of the head, and variable dark ear spot

Juvenile:

• Similar to adult basic but mantle has brownish spots

Similar species:

The Gull-billed Tern can be identified in all plumages by its thick, relatively short, black bill and shallowly forked tail.