About the Black Tern
The black tern is a small tern generally found in or near inland water that breeds in Europe, Western Asia and North America. In winter the birds migrate to coastal areas of Africa and South America.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
Adults are 25 cm (10 in) long, with a wingspan 61 cm (24 in), and weigh 62 g (2+1⁄8 oz). They have short dark legs and a short, weak-looking black bill, measuring 27 mm (1+1⁄16 in), nearly as long as the head. The bill is long, slender, and looks slightly decurved. They have a dark grey back, with a white forewing, black head, neck (occasionally suffused with grey in the adult) and belly, black or blackish-brown cap (which unites in color with the ear coverts, forming an almost complete hood), and a light brownish-grey, 'square' tail. The face is white.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Black Tern sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Brazil, Argentina, India, Taiwan, Luxembourg, Kenya, Antigua & Barbuda, Turks & Caicos Islands, Saudi Arabia, Jersey, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, Japan, Syria.
When to see it
Peak activity in May · a summer visitor species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Whiskered TernChlidonias hybridaThe size, black cap, strong bill (29–34 mm in males, 25–27 mm and stubbier in females, with a pronounced gonys) and more positive flight recall common or Arctic tern, but the short, forked-looking tail and dark grey breeding plumage above and below are typically marsh tern characteristics.
White-winged TernChlidonias leucopterusAdult birds in summer have short red legs and a short black bill (small and stubby, measuring 22–25 mm from the feathers, decidedly shorter than the head), a black neck (often with a pale gray back) and belly, very dark grey back, with a white rump and light grey (almost white) tail, which often looks 'square' in juveniles.
Black-fronted TernChlidonias albostriatusBlack-fronted terns are considered medium-small in size.
Side by side: Black Tern vs Whiskered Tern · Black Tern vs White-winged Tern
Learn the Black Tern for real
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