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Sandwich Tern

Sterna sandvicensisOrder: CHARADRIIFORMESFamily: Gulls, Terns, Skimmers (Laridae)

Breeding Location:

Beaches, coastal



Breeding Type:

Monogamous, Colonial



Breeding Population:

Common in range



Egg Color:

White to pink with brown, black and gray marks



Number of Eggs:

1 - 3



Incubation Days:

21 - 29



Egg Incubator:

Both sexes



Nest Material:

Lined with various debris.



Migration:

Migratory



Splitbar

Overview

Sandwich Tern: Only medium-sized tern with long slender black bill tipped with yellow; upperparts are very pale gray, nearly white, and underparts are white. The black crown has a short black crest. White tail is deeply forked; legs and feet are black. Direct flight, hovers before diving for fish.

Range and Habitat

Sandwich Tern: Atlantic coast north to Virginia, and entire Gulf Coast.

Breeding and Nesting

Sandwich Tern: Monogamous; colonial, often mixed with other terns, especially Royal Terns. Simple nest on coastal beaches and islands, in the open above tidemark, unlined or lined with debris; One to three white to pink eggs with brown, black, and gray markings. Incubation ranges from 21 to 29 days and is carried out by both sexes; first flight at 28 to 32 days.

Foraging and Feeding

Sandwich Tern: Prefers to feed at sea; Usually hovers, then dives from great heights to catch prey under water. Eats small fish, squid and shrimp.

Vocalization

Sandwich Tern: Aburpt whistle, grating "gwit gwit," and "skir-rick." Also yelping "kehk," and slightly reedy "ki-i wii-wii."

Similar Species

Sandwich Tern: Royal Tern is larger, plumper, with heavier, orange bill. Gull-billed Tern lacks crest and has stubbier bill and less forked tail.

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Family
Species Sterna sandvicensis
Length13.5 - 16 Inches
Wingspan34 Inches

Sandwich Tern

Sandwich Tern: Only medium-sized tern with long slender black bill tipped with yellow; upperparts are very pale gray, nearly white, and underparts are white. The black crown has a short black crest. White tail is deeply forked; legs and feet are black. Direct flight, hovers before diving for fish.

● Song: "gwit-gwit", "skir-rick", "kehk", "ki-i wii wii"

● Foraging & Feeding: Sandwich Tern: Prefers to feed at sea; Usually hovers, then dives from great heights to catch prey under water. Eats small fish, squid and shrimp.

● Breeding & nesting: Sandwich Tern: Monogamous; colonial, often mixed with other terns, especially Royal Terns. Simple nest on coastal beaches and islands, in the open above tidemark, unlined or lined with debris; One to three white to pink eggs with brown, black, and gray markings. Incubation ranges from 21 to 29 days and is carried out by both sexes; first flight at 28 to 32 days.

● Similar species: Sandwich Tern: Royal Tern is larger, plumper, with heavier, orange bill. Gull-billed Tern lacks crest and has stubbier bill and less forked tail.

Flight Pattern

Powerful direct flight, strong and graceful with wings held slightly crooked. Usually hovers before diving for fish.
Sandwich Tern: Breeding Adult
● Range & Habitat: Sandwich Tern: Atlantic coast north to Virginia, and entire Gulf Coast.
BreedingMonogamous, Colonial
PopulationCommon in range
MigrationMigratory
Weight7.3 Ounces