About the White-winged Tern
The white-winged tern or white-winged black tern is a species of tern in the family Laridae. It is a small species generally found in or near bodies of fresh water across much of the world, including Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. The genus name is from Ancient Greek khelidonios, "swallow-like", from khelidon, "swallow".
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
Adult birds in summer have short red legs and a short black bill (small and stubby, measuring 22–25 mm from the feathers, decidedly shorter than the head), a black neck (often with a pale gray back) and belly, very dark grey back, with a white rump and light grey (almost white) tail, which often looks 'square' in juveniles. The face is tinged yellowish. The wings, as the name implies, are mainly white. The inner wing is grayish with brown-tipped coverts.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States, Canada, Finland, Argentina, Brazil, Mayotte, North Korea, Tajikistan, Gabon, Uruguay, Maldives, Malta.
When to see it
Peak activity in May · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Black-fronted TernChlidonias albostriatusBlack-fronted terns are considered medium-small in size.
Whiskered TernChlidonias hybridaThe 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.
Black TernChlidonias nigerAdults are 25 cm (10 in) long, with a wingspan 61 cm (24 in), and weigh 62 g (2+1⁄8 oz).
Side by side: Black Tern vs White-winged Tern · Whiskered Tern vs White-winged Tern
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