Sooty Tern

41 cm (16") Uncommon. Southern Florida; open oceans but may be blown inland after storms. Large breeding colony in southern Florida (Dry Tortugas). Pigeon-sized. Adult is jet black above; white forehead and edge of forked tail; black bill and feet.

Immature is blackish brown overall except for white lower belly and undertail coverts; whitish specks on back.

Does not dive, feeds by plucking fish from surface.

Song: noisy day-or-night; "wide-awake" or "wacky-wack".

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Credit: Drew Avery