About the Aleutian Tern
The Aleutian tern is a migratory bird living in the subarctic region of the globe most of the year. It is frequently associated with the Arctic tern, which it closely resembles. While both species have a black cap, the Aleutian tern may be distinguished by its white forehead. During breeding season, the Arctic terns have bright red bills, feet, and legs while those of the Aleutian terns are black.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The Aleutian tern is medium-sized tern (32–39 cm (13–15 in) long), with a 75–80 cm (30–31 in) wingspan, a short pointed bill and a long, deeply forked tail. It weighs 84–140 g (2.9–5.0 oz). Breeding adult and juvenile are the only plumages likely to be encountered in North America. Breeding adult (definitive alternate plumage) has a white forehead, a black cap, a mid-grey mantle with darkish grey underparts, and white rump and tail. Its underwing is whitish, with dark-tipped primaries and a diagnostic dark bar on the secondaries. The Aleutian tern has a black bill as well as black legs. Voice: The Aleutian tern is associated with different calls reported in the literature. Their call can be distinguished from the common tern ones, since it has a higher pitch and is characterized by a soft and rolling whistled tone. The most distinctive sound is the choppy "chif-chif-chu-ak" described by Olsen and Larsson in 1995, less harsh than the sustained note of the Arctic tern.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in June · a summer visitor species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Spectacled TernOnychoprion lunatusA close relative of the bridled and sooty terns (with which it is sometimes confused), the spectacled tern is less common than the other members of its genus and it has been studied less.
Sooty TernOnychoprion fuscatusIt is a medium-large tern, similar in size to the Sandwich tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis) at 36–45 cm (14–17.5 in) long with an 82–94 cm (32.5–37 in) wingspan.
Bridled TernOnychoprion anaethetusThis is a medium-sized tern, at 30–32 cm in length and with a 77–81 cm wingspan similar to the common tern in size, but more heavily built.
Learn the Aleutian Tern for real
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