Aleutian Tern

Onychoprion aleuticus

Also known as:Sterna aleutica

Explore this bird

Identification

34 cm (14") Rare. Alaska. Black bill and feet. Dark gray mantle contrasts with its white tail. White forehead.

Song: whistled "twee-ee-ee" suggests a shorebird.

Details in the field

1 photo

Credit: Don Henise

Watch and learn

1 video

Terns; Cozumel, MX

Credit: Stephen Angus

Bird Advisor Identification rules 1 variant 1 rule

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

1 rule

Rule 1 14 criteria confidence 1

What colour were the LEGS or FEET ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the TAIL ?: Forked · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the BILL ?: Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Short · Medium · Long · Unknown
What colour were the EYES ?: Brown or blackish brown · Black or dark gray · Unknown
What colour was the TOP of HEAD ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Gull-like, or a Seabird
WHEN was the bird seen ?: Spring · Summer · Fall
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Northwestern Canada or United States

result:553-aleutian-tern:1:1 Source: 553 Aleutian Tern, row 1