Sandwich tern

Sterna sandvicensis
Terns (Sternidae)

Black wingtip.
Sandwich ternon RikenMon's Nature-Guide

CC-BY 2.0 rights : Tony Hisgett

A large tern with long wings and a sturdy dark beak with a yellow tip. A black cap with a small tuft at the back. At the end of summer, the cap becomes grey and the tuft remains black. The wing’s upper surface is grey with a dark tip and the under surface is white. The outside tail feathers are longer and the legs are black.

Dives from a considerable height into the sea to catch fish. Breeds in colonies on the coast.  

⇔ l. 36-41 cm

syn. THALASSEUS SANDVICENSIS

A migratory bird leaving early for the central European coasts and at the end of summer, back to southern Europe and Africa.

LA:
The STERNIDAE (Terns) are difficult to separate but this is the most common one.

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