Gull-billed tern (Gelochelidon nilotica)

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The gull-billed tern (Gelochelidon nilotica), formerly Sterna nilotica, is a seabird of the tern family, Sternidae. It is now considered to be in its own genus.

This is a fairly large and powerful tern, similar in size and general appearance to a Sandwich tern, but the short thick gull-like bill, broad wings, long legs and robust body are distinctive. The summer adult has grey upperparts, white underparts, a black cap, strong black bill and black legs.

In winter, the cap is lost, and there is a dark patch through the eye like a Forster’s tern or a Mediterranean gull. Juvenile gull-billed terns have a fainter mask, but otherwise look much like winter adults.

Juvenile Sandwich terns have a short bill, and are frequently mistaken for gull-billed tern where the latter species is uncommon, such as North Sea coasts.

In migration , normally near the Black Sea litoral.

photo: Mihai BACIU

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