Snowy-crowned Tern
Sterna trudeaui
The Snowy-crowned Tern (Sterna trudeaui) is a uncommon skimmers, noddies, terns, and gull found in 5 countries, weighing about 153 g. The snowy-crowned tern, also known as Trudeau's tern, is a species of bird in subfamily Sterninae of the family Laridae, the gulls, terns, and skimmers.
About the Snowy-crowned Tern
The snowy-crowned tern, also known as Trudeau's tern, is a species of bird in subfamily Sterninae of the family Laridae, the gulls, terns, and skimmers. It is native to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, and possibly Paraguay, and also vagrant in Peru and the Falkland Islands.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The snowy-crowned tern is 28 to 35 cm (11 to 14 in) long with a wingspan of 76 to 78 cm (30 to 31 in) and weighs 146 to 160 g (5.1 to 5.6 oz). It has a rather blocky head, a thick neck, long wings, and a forked tail. The sexes have the same plumage. Adults in breeding plumage have a white head and neck with a black band through the eye. Their upperparts are pale gray with a whitish rump and uppertail coverts. Their underparts are grayish white. Their upperwing is pale gray with silvery primaries and the underwing is white. Voice: The snowy-crowned tern's call is "a series of rapid notes "je-je-je-je", or a short, grating "jeeer"."
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Peru.
When to see it
The Snowy-crowned Tern can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Snowy-crowned Tern?
- The snowy-crowned tern is 28 to 35 cm (11 to 14 in) long with a wingspan of 76 to 78 cm (30 to 31 in) and weighs 146 to 160 g (5.1 to 5.6 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Snowy-crowned Tern?
- The Snowy-crowned Tern is a medium sized bird weighing about 153 g.
- Where can you see a Snowy-crowned Tern?
- The Snowy-crowned Tern occurs in 5 countries, including Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Brazil.
- What birds look similar to a Snowy-crowned Tern?
- The Snowy-crowned Tern is most easily confused with the Black-naped Tern, the South American Tern and the White-cheeked Tern.
- Is the Snowy-crowned Tern endangered?
- The Snowy-crowned Tern is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Snowy-crowned Tern for real
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