Forster's Tern Similar Species Comparison

Breeding adult

Medium-sized tern with pointed wings and a long, forked tail. Breeding adults have a black cap and a black-tipped orange bill. Note white underparts and pale primaries.

Nonbreeding adult

Short-legged tern with a thin black bill. Spends the winter in marshes, coastal beaches, lakes, and rivers.

Nonbreeding adult

Nonbreeding adults have a black eyepatch, an unmarked nape, and a slender black bill.

Immature

Immature birds are pale gray above and do not have shoulder markings. They have a black eyepatch, pale gray primaries, and a black bill.

Juvenile

Juveniles are mottled rusty brown, white, and gray with a black eye patch.

Nonbreeding adult

Nonbreeding adults have a black mask and entirely white underparts. The wings are silvery from below with black tips on the primaries.

Breeding adult

Short-legged tern with a long, forked tail that extends beyond the wings when resting. Breeding adults have a full black cap and a slender, black-tipped orange bill.

Nonbreeding adult

In flight, note gray tail and pale gray primaries with black tips on nonbreeding adults.

Breeding adult

Immature

Habitat

Breeds in marshes with open water and large stands of islandlike vegetation. Spends the winters in marshes, coastal beaches, lakes, and rivers.