Gull-billed Tern (Sterna nilotica)
The Gull-billed Tern is fairly cosmopolitan and breeds on all continents except Antarctica.
Gull-billed tern Sterna nilotica
Identification Tips:
Length: 13 inches Wingspan: 35 inches
Sexes similar
Medium-sized, robust tern
Thick, blunt, black bill
Short, notched tail
Pale underwings ...
The Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica) is a widespread coastal tern found along all along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts of the United States. The species is also found in parts of California and Mexico.
Gull-billed Terns generally nest and breed in small, loosely packed colonies. Most courtship posturing, and feeding displays are performed on the ground. Their nests are shallow depressions on open ground, occasionally rimmed with soil or vegetation.
Gull-billed Tern
Last updated 3/20/96 Gull-billed Tern is one of the birds I'm asked about the most. Its a common summer resident along the coast, but uncommon in the the winter.
Gull-Billed Tern EU report (PDF)
Birdlife factsheet of Gull-Billed Tern
Gull-Billed Tern EU population trend (PDF) ...
MARSH or GULL-BILLED TERN, Sterna anglica, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. v. p. 127.
Male, 14, 34.
Cosmopolite. In America, breeds from the mouth of the Mississippi to Connecticut. Not abundant. Migratory.
Gull-billed Tern
Sterna nilotica Gmelin
Status Rare vagrant. In an interview with Harry Piers in 1902, Richard Bouteillier reported this tern on Sable Island as "rare, sometimes rather plentiful .... breeds.
Gull-billed tern (Sterna nilotica)
Nut-grass (Cyperus rotundus)
Fly agaric (Amanita muscaria)
Buller's shearwater (Puffinus bulleri)
Grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos)
Lesser sand plover (Charadrius mongolus) ...
Gull-billed Tern Sterna Gelochedidon nilotica
White-fronted Tern Sterna striata (Tara)
Common Tern Sterna hirundo ...
Gull-billed Tern
Summer Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no
Least Tern
Summer Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes ...
Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica. Breeder. Fairly common in spring, summer, and fall, and rare in winter in Gulf Coast region. Found in the Gulf and salt marshes, and on bays and beaches. Low Conservation Concern.
Gull-billed Tern, Gelochelidon nilotica (A)
Caspian Tern, Hydroprogne caspia (A)
Sandwich Tern, Sterna sandvicensis
Royal Tern, Sterna maxima
Roseate Tern, Sterna dougallii (A)
Common Tern, Sterna hirundo (A)
Arctic Tern, Sterna paradisaea (A) ...
The Gull-billed Tern has a large range, estimated globally at 5,500,000 square kilometers. Native to North America and nearby island nations and introduced to much of Europe, this bird prefers forest, wetland, and marine ecosystems.
Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica: Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge (Brigantine), NJ, 13 May
Caspian Tern Hyroprogne caspia: Protection Island, WA, 06 Aug ...
The Gull-billed Tern nests in colonies, commonly with large numbers of nests in an area. It often nests with Common Terns and Black Skimmers. Breeding habitat includes sand, gravel, or shell beaches, or some grassy areas of coastal islands.
Another, the gull-billed tern, S. anglica, has also been not infrequently shot. in England. All these species are now recognized - though the contrary was once maintained - as inhabitants of North America, and many go much farther. S.
Gelochelidon nilotica - Gull-billed Tern (photo)
Sterna
Sterna hirundo - Common Tern (photo)
Sterna paradisaea - Arctic Tern
Sterna albirons - Little Tern
Chlidonias
Chlidonias hybridus - Whiskered Tern ...
 See also: Purple, Stilt, Oyster, Oystercatcher, Curlew
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