Caspian Tern

Sterna caspia

Also known as:Carrot-billed

Explore this bird

Identification

Field notes

48-58 cm (19-23") Fairly common. Inland along rivers and lakes as well as seacoasts. Our largest tern, crow-sized. Flies and acts much like a gull. White head with a crested, black cap; stout, bright red bill; white underparts; gray mantle; broad wings show dark on underside at tips. Similar Royal Tern does not range inland and has a white forehead in winter.

Winter adult similar, but cap is streaked with gray including forehead.

Song: loud hoarse "kraa".

Details in the field

Photo gallery

1 photo

Credit: Ray Barlow

Watch and learn

Videos

2 videos

caspian tern colony

Credit: Glenn Ehmke

Caspian Tern fishing near Maria Island, Tasmania

Credit: Mike Grant

Where it lives

Distribution maps

Source legend · original intervals

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Unshaded in source · does not imply absence

Generic and winter maps may use different intervals.

Bird Advisor Identification rules 1 variant 2 rules

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

Caspian Tern

2 rules

Rule 1 13 criteria confidence 4

What colour were the LEGS or FEET ?: Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the TAIL ?: Square or slightly notched at the end · Forked · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What colour was the BILL ?: Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · 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 ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Crow-sized · Goose-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Gull-like, or a Seabird
WHEN was the bird seen ?: Spring · Summer · Fall

result:556-caspian-tern:1:1 Source: 556 Caspian Tern, row 1

Rule 2 13 criteria confidence 4

What colour were the LEGS or FEET ?: Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the TAIL ?: Square or slightly notched at the end · Forked · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What colour was the BILL ?: Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · 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) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Crow-sized · Goose-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Gull-like, or a Seabird
WHEN was the bird seen ?: Winter

result:556-caspian-tern:2:1 Source: 556 Caspian Tern, row 2