Tern, Sandwich
The Sandwich tern is a medium-large tern with grey upperparts, white underparts, a yellow-tipped black bill and a shaggy black crest which becomes less extensive in winter with a white crown. Young birds bear grey and brown scalloped plumage on their backs and wings. It is a vocal bird. It nests in a ground scrape and lays one to three eggs.
Like all Thalasseus terns, the Sandwich tern feeds by plunge diving for fish, usually in marine environments, and the offering of fish by the male to the female is part of the courtship display.
Family
Latin Name
Thalasseus sandvicensis
Further reading
Photos
When the bird was spotted
Date | Location | Title | Seen by | Interestingness |
---|---|---|---|---|
UK, Teesside and the North York Moors | Saltholme | b.m.stokesley | *** | |
UK, Teesside and the North York Moors | South Gare | b.m.stokesley | **** | |
UK, Teesside and the North York Moors | South Gare | b.m.stokesley | *** | |
UK, Teesside and the North York Moors | South Gare | b.m.stokesley | *** | |
UK, Teesside and the North York Moors | North Gare | b.m.stokesley | ** | |
UK, Northumberland | Saint Mary's Island | b.m.stokesley | *** | |
UK, Teesside and the North York Moors | South Gare | b.m.stokesley | *** | |
Portugal, Algarve | Tavira | b.m.stokesley | ||
UK, Farne Islands | Not so common as the other terns, still lots on the island | mike421 | ** |