Bird Guide

Large-billed Tern vs White-fronted Tern

Large-billed Tern (Phaetusa simplex)

Large-billed Tern

Phaetusa simplex

Medium235 gRiverine

The large-billed tern is large, short-tailed tern with a large yellow bill. It is around 38 cm (15 in) in overall length and weighs 208–247 g (7.3–8.7 oz). The crown and ear-coverts are black, the upperparts are grey, the secondaries, primary coverts, lores and underparts are white. The legs and feet are yellow. A non-breeding adult has a paler crown and forehead.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Arthur Chapman · CC BY 2.0
White-fronted Tern (Sterna striata)

White-fronted Tern

Sterna striata

Medium129 gCoastal

The white-fronted tern is an average-sized tern; its dimensions are 35–43 cm (14–17 in) in length, with a wingspan between 79 and 82 cm (31 and 32 in); the male weighs on average 130 g (4.6 oz). Females are marginally smaller than males, but this is difficult to determine when observing individuals in the wild. Breaking down their monochromatic colouring, the white-fronted tern's lightest features are its all-white body, tail and underwing, with the upper side of the wings a light silvery-grey hue. Voice: A very dull crek is used in courtship when the male is flying above groups, individuals may respond with the same noise. When descending upon intruders, they will let out a continuous keark. Generally calling between individuals is a high-pitched siet used frequently during flight, it will be repeated over and over in particular intervals.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Joe Dillon · CC BY 4.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Large-billed Tern and White-fronted Tern.