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Gull-billed Tern Identification

Gull-billed Tern Breeding adult
Breeding adult

Rather stocky tern with a thick black bill. Breeding birds have an entirely black crown.

© Brian SullivanCalifornia, June 18, 2007
Gull-billed Tern Breeding adult
Breeding adult

Stocky with a thick black bill and black legs. The crown is entirely black.

© Chris Wood
Gull-billed Tern Breeding adult and juvenile with Black Skimmer
Breeding adult and juvenile with Black Skimmer

Gull-billed Terns often form mixed-species flocks while loafing on coastlines.

© Benjamin Clock | Macaulay LibraryLouisiana, July 11, 2010
Gull-billed Tern Breeding adult
Breeding adult

Note notched tail and flight and dusky tips to the primaries.

© Brian SullivanMarch 27, 2004
Gull-billed Tern Juvenile
Juvenile

Juveniles have a smudgy gray patch behind the eye and a thick bill that is often pale at the base.

© Jim Stasz | Macaulay LibraryMaryland, August 08, 2011
Gull-billed Tern Nonbreeding adult
Nonbreeding adult

Stocky tern with a thick black bill and black legs. Nonbreeding birds have a dark smudge behind the eye.

© Vince Capp | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, January 10, 2016
Gull-billed Tern Breeding adult
Breeding adult

Breeding birds have an entirely black cap. Thick black bill is the key field mark.

© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 24, 2010
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Adult Description

Medium-sized tern. Stocky, with wide wings. Stout black bill. Tail short and notched. Black cap when breeding. Head nearly white during winter, with dark smudge behind eyes. Wings very pale gray with little black in tips. Body white. Legs black.

Immature Description

Immature resembles winter adult.
Relative Size

Relative Sizebetween robin and crowbetween robin and crow
Measurements
  • Both Sexes
    • Length: 13.0-15.0 in (33-38 cm)
    • Weight: 5.3-7.2 oz (150-205 g)

Species in This Family

Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers(Order: Charadriiformes, Family:Laridae)

Black-legged KittiwakeBlack-legged Kittiwake
Ivory GullIvory Gull
Sabine's GullSabine's Gull
Bonaparte's GullBonaparte's Gull
Black-headed GullBlack-headed Gull
Little GullLittle Gull
Ross's GullRoss's Gull
Laughing GullLaughing Gull
Franklin's GullFranklin's Gull
Heermann's GullHeermann's Gull
Mew GullMew Gull
Ring-billed GullRing-billed Gull
Western GullWestern Gull
California GullCalifornia Gull
Herring GullHerring Gull
Iceland GullIceland Gull
Lesser Black-backed GullLesser Black-backed Gull
Glaucous-winged GullGlaucous-winged Gull
Glaucous GullGlaucous Gull
Great Black-backed GullGreat Black-backed Gull
Least TernLeast Tern
Gull-billed TernGull-billed Tern
Caspian TernCaspian Tern
Black TernBlack Tern
Roseate TernRoseate Tern
Common TernCommon Tern
Arctic TernArctic Tern
Forster's TernForster's Tern
Royal TernRoyal Tern
Sandwich TernSandwich Tern
Elegant TernElegant Tern
Black SkimmerBlack Skimmer

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