Sandwich Tern Similar Species Comparison
Similar Species
Elegant Tern
Breeding adult
Elegant Terns have a longer orange bill than Sandwich Terns, which have a black bill with a yellow tip.
© David Weber | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, July 07, 2014Similar Species
Gull-billed Tern
Breeding adult
Gull-billed Terns have a shorter and thicker bill than Sandwich Terns. They also lack the Sandwich Tern's yellow-tipped bill.
© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 24, 2010Similar Species
Royal Tern
Breeding adult
Royal Terns are larger tan Sandwich Terns. Royal Terns also have a thicker orange bill than Sandwich Terns, which have a thin black bill with a yellow tip.
© Martin Wall | Macaulay LibraryNorth Carolina, March 30, 2017Main Species
Sandwich Tern
Breeding adult (Eurasian)
Slender tern with a long black bill with a pale tip.
© Christoph Moning | Macaulay LibraryEmilia-Romagna, April 21, 2014Breeding adult (Cabot's)
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.
© Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 18, 2011Nonbreeding adult with juvenile
© Benjamin Clock | Macaulay LibraryLouisiana, July 13, 2010Not all videos have sound
Nonbreeding adult (Cabot's)
Nonbreeding birds are very pale gray above with only a partial black crown. The bill is black with pale tip.
© Steve Collins | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, December 11, 2008Juvenile (Cabot's)
Juveniles have a mottled black-and-gray back and a dark rear crown patch. The bill is orangish, but quickly turns dark.
© Collin Stempien | Macaulay LibraryAlabama, July 27, 2019Flock (Eurasian)
Highly social tern that congregates in good feeding areas. Note pale gray back and dark bill.
© John van Dort | Macaulay LibraryNoord-Holland, August 11, 2016Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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