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Sandwich Tern

Sterna sandvicensis ORDER: CHARADRIIFORMES FAMILY: LARIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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Sandwich Tern Photo

© 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology

A bird of marine coasts of the southeastern United States and the Caribbean, the Sandwich Tern is readily identified by its shaggy crest and yellow-tipped black bill.

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Appearance

Gull-like
Gull-like
Typical Voice

Adult Description

Medium-sized tern. Long, thin black bill with pale yellow tip. Body white. Back pale gray. Elongated feathers on back of head make a slight shaggy crest. Black cap when breeding. Pale forehead in winter. Legs black.

Immature Description

Juvenile similar to nonbreeding adult, but with dark markings on back, crown entirely dusky, and bill may lack yellow tip.

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Sandwich Tern Range Map
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Field MarksHelp

  • Adult breeding
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    Adult breeding
    • © 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Florida, May 2000
  • Adult nonbreeding
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    Adult nonbreeding
    • © 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Florida, November 2000
  • Adult nonbreeding
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    Adult nonbreeding
    • © 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Florida
  • Adult breeding
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    Adult breeding
    • Giving aggressive, upright threat display
    • © 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Florida
  • Adult breeding
    PopOutZoom In
    Adult breeding
    • © 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Florida, May 2000

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