SANDWICH TERN Thalasseus sandvicensis

Another widespread species breeding on coasts of Europe, espaecially the UK, and wintering in Africa, again coastally. The american race has recently been split as Cabot's Tern, but the latest Avilist list has lumped them again. I am retaining the original treatment as, together with Cayenne Tern, I think there are at least two species involved, especially as many birds in the Americas have yellow bills. Birds occuring in the United States are black-billed, and very difficult to distinguish except in winter plumage, which is rare in the UK.

Click on the photo to return to "gulls" or    HOMEPAGE