Gull-billed Tern Similar Species Comparison
Similar Species
Sandwich Tern
Breeding adult
Sandwich Terns have a longer and thinner bill than Gull-billed Terns. Their crest is often shaggier than Gull-billed Terns.
© Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 18, 2011Similar Species
Sandwich Tern
Nonbreeding adult
Nonbreeding birds have a more extensive rear crown patch than nonbreeding Gull-billed Terns, which have only a smudgy patch behind the eye.
© Steve Collins | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, December 11, 2008Similar Species
Sandwich Tern
Juvenile
Juveniles have larger black crown patches than juvenile Gull-billed Terns and darker mottling on the back.
© Andrew Haffenden | Macaulay LibraryAlabama, August 02, 2016Main Species
Gull-billed Tern
Breeding adult
Rather stocky tern with a thick black bill. Breeding birds have an entirely black crown.
© Jesse Amesbury | Macaulay LibraryNew Jersey, May 06, 2017Breeding adult
Breeding birds have an entirely black cap. Thick black bill is the key field mark.
© Hayley Alexander | Macaulay LibraryQueensland, August 24, 2020Breeding adult and juvenile with Black Skimmer
Gull-billed Terns often nest in colonies with other tern species and Black Skimmers
© Benjamin Clock | Macaulay LibraryLouisiana, July 11, 2010Not all videos have sound
Nonbreeding adult
Stocky tern with a thick black bill and black legs. Nonbreeding birds have a dark smudge behind the eye.
© Ian Davies | Macaulay LibrarySouthern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples, January 10, 2015Breeding adult
In flight note slightly forked tail and dark gray tips to outermost flight feathers.
© Lorenzo Cocco | Macaulay LibrarySardegna, June 21, 2020Juvenile
Juveniles have a smudgy gray patch behind the eye and a thick bill that is often pale at the base.
© Vincent Wang | Macaulay LibraryHebei, August 22, 2020Breeding adult
Note notched tail in flight and dusky tips to the primaries.
© Steve Kolbe | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, April 26, 2015Breeding adult
Stocky with a thick black bill and black legs. The crown is entirely black.
© Terence Alexander | Macaulay LibraryQueensland, April 16, 2019Nonbreeding adult
Nonbreeding birds have an overall white-headed look with limited smudging around the eye. Heavy black bill is distinctive in all plumages.
© Marco Valentini | Macaulay LibraryWestern, July 04, 2016Breeding adult
Nests on saltmarsh islands as well as sandy barrier beaches. Catches a variety of prey, relying less on fish than other terns.
© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew Jersey, May 29, 2017Flock
Generally in small groups, but nesting colonies can include 100+ adults.
© Michael Daley | Macaulay LibraryQueensland, October 21, 2019Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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