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CoastalScrapeMedium · 129 g
ID tip
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.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the White-fronted Tern
One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 11 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is January, the month with the most records.
Where to see the White-fronted Tern
The map shades 2 countries with regular records. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
About the White-fronted Tern
The white-fronted tern, also known as tara, sea swallow, black-billed tern, kahawai bird, southern tern, or swallow tail, was first described by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1789. A medium-sized tern with an all-white body including underwing and forked tail, with pale grey hues on the mantle and upper side of the wing. In breeding adults a striking black cap covers the head from forehead to nape, leaving a small white strip above the black bill.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Roseate TernSterna dougalliiThis is a small-medium tern, 33–36 cm (13–14 in) long with a 67–76 cm (26–30 in) wingspan, which can be confused with the common tern, Arctic tern, and the larger, but similarly plumaged, Sandwich tern.
South American TernSterna hirundinaceaWith adult South American terns reaching a length of 40 to 44 centimetres (16 to 17 in), they are larger than either common terns (Sterna hirundo) or Arctic terns (Sterna paradisaea).
Snowy-crowned TernSterna trudeauiThe 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).
Side by side: River Tern vs White-fronted Tern · Large-billed Tern vs White-fronted Tern · Roseate Tern vs White-fronted Tern · South American Tern vs White-fronted Tern · Snowy-crowned Tern vs White-fronted Tern
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