How to Identify a Tern Bird

Distinguishing Terns

• 1

  Observe this water-loving bird near oceans, lakes, rivers and other bodies of water. In winter months, the Tern prefers warmer climates.

• 2

  Identify the tern as a gull-like bird. Its narrow body and large wings are made for soaring over open water.

• 3

  See Terns swoop down to grab their lunch from the water. They search for the right meal before they dive into the water or they steal food from other birds.

• 4

  Watch Terns make a shallow nest in sand or other coarse materials. They usually breed in colonies and fly in pairs.

Types of Terns

• 5

  Find the Common Tern with a narrow body and pointed wings. It has a red bill with a dark tip at the end that fades during the summer. The Common Tern is mainly gray with a white tail and face. It has a black cap on top its head.

• 6

  See the Caspian Tern widely scattered throughout the world. It is the largest of the Tern family with mostly a white and gray body. It has a bright orange bill and a black crested head. The eyes, legs and tip of the tail are all black.

• 7

  Watch for the Elegant Tern with an orange drooping bill and white face with black crest. This Tern is large and has a gray mantle, white breasts and black legs. Juvenile birds are similar in appearance but have yellow legs.

• 8

  Observe the Arctic Tern as a lighter gray bird. Its face is split with the upper half being black without a crest and the lower part white. Its tail is white, and it has a red bill and legs.

• 9

  View the Forster's Tern as similar to the Common Tern. It has a silvery color in flight and sports a black cap on its light colored head. The bill is orange with a black tip and the legs are orange. The Forster's legs are more orange than the Common Tern.

• 10

  Find the Black Tern with wide wings and a shorter tail. It is mostly black with silver wings. Its bill and legs are also black. This bird is one of the smaller in the Tern family.