Black-fronted Tern
Chlidonias albostriatus
Black-fronted terns are considered medium-small in size. Adults measure 28–30 cm in length, with a 65–72 cm wingspan and an average weight of 95 g. They have short orange bills, short orange legs, and a body that is dark grey above and light grey below with a white rump and a distinctive black cap. During the non-breeding season, the black cap recedes and becomes flecked with white.
ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Whiskered Tern
Chlidonias hybrida
The 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. The summer adult has white cheeks and red legs and bill. The crown is flecked with white in the juvenile, and the hindcrown is more uniformly blackish, though in the winter adult this too is flecked with white.
ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Where you might meet both
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Play today's Daily BirdPhotos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Black-fronted Tern and Whiskered Tern.