Also known as: Carrot-billed
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".
Videos
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Credit: Glenn Ehmke
Watch
Credit: Mike Grant
Images
![Fishing on the wing](https://res-1.cloudinary.com/ebirdr/image/upload/s--ajkjekN9--/f_auto,q_auto,t_square_crop_160/061aa1107bc5ec98a6c7225c56177803ce6d3289.jpg)
Credit: Ray Barlow