About the Caspian Tern
The Caspian tern is the world's largest species of tern, with a subcosmopolitan but scattered distribution. Despite its extensive range, it is monotypic of its genus, and has no accepted subspecies. The genus name is from Ancient Greek hudro-, "water-", and Latin progne, "swallow". The specific caspia is from Latin and, like the English name, refers to the Caspian Sea.
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ID tip
It is the world's largest tern with a length of 48–60 cm (19–24 in), a wingspan of 127–145 cm (50–57 in) and a weight of 530–782 g (18.7–27.6 oz). Adult birds have black legs, and a long thick red-orange bill with a small black tip. They have a white head with a black cap and white neck, belly, and tail. The upper wings and back are pale grey; the underwings are pale with dark primary feathers. In-flight, the tail is less forked than other terns, and wingtips are black on the underside.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Caspian Tern sounds like
Where the Caspian Tern lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Lebanon, Turkmenistan, Congo - Brazzaville, Liberia, Mayotte, French Guiana, St. Kitts & Nevis, Luxembourg.
When to see the Caspian Tern
Peak activity in May · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Common TernSterna hirundoThe nominate subspecies of the common tern is 31–35 cm (12–14 in) long, including a 6–9 cm (2.4–3.5 in) fork in the tail, with a 77–98 cm (30–39 in) wingspan.
Common GullLarus canusAdult common gulls are 40–46 cm (16–18 in) long and a wingspan of 100–115 cm (39–45 in), noticeably smaller than the herring gull and slightly smaller than the ring-billed gull.
California GullLarus californicusAdults are similar in appearance to the herring gull, but with brown eyes, yellow legs, and a more rounded head.
Side by side: Caspian Tern vs Common Tern · Caspian Tern vs Common Gull · California Gull vs Caspian Tern
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