Black Tern

23-25 cm (9-10") Fairly common. Inland lakes, marshes in summer, along coasts in migration. Solid black head and underparts. Dark gray back. Black bill.

In flight; short, slightly forked tail, uniformly light gray underwings, erratic flight.

Immature or Nonbreeding: white below with dark gray mantle and tail. Black bill. Dark cap extends to a dark ear patch. In flight; short slightly forked tail, light gray underwings, dark bar on side of breast. Underside may be all white or patchy black-and-white.

Song: sharp "kick".

Videos

Images

Credit: Ted van den Bergh

Credit: Ken Sturm/USFWS

Credit: Ómar Runólfsson

Credit: Ómar Runólfsson

Distribution Maps

Black Tern distribution map