Tern, Caspian

Conservation status:

Passage Migrant and Winter Visitor

Description:

The largest tern identified by heavy red bill (can be seen at long distance), almost gull-like flight with slow steady wing-beats and by call; wings and back pale grey, under surface white with distinctive dark primaries below. Juvenile has more orangy bill, more extensive black cap to below eye (unlike adult), weak dark scales on mantle and wing-coverts; leading arm and secondaries slightly darker, primaries dark both above and below; legs pale (black in adult).