Gull-billed Tern Identification, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Species in This Family