Bird Guide

Peruvian Tern vs Yellow-billed Tern

Peruvian Tern (Sternula lorata)

Peruvian Tern

Sternula lorata

Small54 gCoastal

The Peruvian tern is a very small species with a length of about 24 cm (9.4 in). The upper half of the head and neck are black, and the remaining part of the head is white. The back, wings and tail are grey, the throat, chin and breast are white, and the chest, belly and flanks are pale grey. The under tail-coverts are white. The bill is yellow with a black tip, the irises are brown and the legs are yellowish. The pale grey underparts differentiate it from other small terns. It has a very rapid and characteristic wingbeat.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Opisska · CC0
Yellow-billed Tern (Sternula superciliaris)

Yellow-billed Tern

Sternula superciliaris

Small46 gRiverine

It measures approximately 23–25 centimeters in body length and weighs 40–57 grams. It has a yellow beak and feet, silvery grey wings and white underbody and forehead. Its crown, nape, and eyeline are black. Juveniles are brown and white without the black cap.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Cláudio D. Timm · CC BY 2.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Peruvian Tern and Yellow-billed Tern.