Sandwich Tern

Breeding adult

Slender tern with a long black bill with a pale tip.

Breeding adult

Slender tern with a long black bill with a pale tip, although pale tip can be difficult to see. It is the only shaggy crested tern with a black bill.

Breeding adult

Nonbreeding adult

Nonbreeding birds are very pale gray above with only a partial black crown. The bill is black with pale tip.

Flock

Highly social tern that congregates in good feeding areas. Note pale gray back and dark bill.

Nonbreeding adult with juvenile

Breeding adult

Shaggy crested tern with a pale-tipped black bill.

Juvenile

Juveniles have a mottled black-and-gray back and a dark rear crown patch. The bill is orangish, but quickly turns dark.

Nonbreeding adult

Nonbreeding adult