How to identify terns

Bird ID

3 Jan

6 minute read

Learn how to identify seven common Australian tern species - the Caspian, Crested, Fairy, Gull-billed, Sooty, Whiskered and White-winged. We also recommend you download BirdLife Australia’s My Tern pocket guide.

Caspian Tern

Australia’s largest tern has a big red bill. You’ll also notice that the black feathers on its head (its black cap) covers both its head and face, down to its bill.

Crested Tern

When you see black shaggy feathers on a tern’s head, you know it’s a Crested Tern. This cap of feathers stops just above its bill. Also look for its straight yellow-orange bill and its darker upper body (compared to other terns).

Fairy Tern

Fairy Terns sometimes hang out with Crested Terns but you can tell the difference because they are noticeably smaller. Fairy terns also have a different black cap that extends to their eyebrow and stops on their forehead. They have a stocky body and short, thick legs.

Gull-billed Tern

The Gull-billed Tern is a large pale tern with long black legs. It has a different looking bill too - it’s heavy-looking and slightly droops at the end.

Sooty Tern

The Sooty Tern has a black cap of feathers that extends to its eye. If it flight, you will notice its deeply forked tail which helps it fly long distances. It has a sooty black upper body and white under body. If trying to distinguish from a Bridled Tern, look for its thicker/heavier bill.

Whiskered Tern

Whiskered Terns don’t just hang out by the sea - you will see them in inland waterways too. It’s black cap of feathers extends all the way behind its head to the nape of its neck. Also look out for its red bill and dark grey breast.

White-winged Black Tern

This tern also loves an inland waterway and you will often find it hanging out with Whiskered Terns. You can tell the difference by looking at its head. The non-breeding adult has dark feathers that look like earphones either side of its face, with a dark cap on its head. It also has a white hindcollar that separates its cap from its back. The breeding adult has a fully black head and body with a white rump.