- Length
- 33–38 cm
- Wingspan
- 75–80 cm
- Weight
- 110 g
Presence in the Strait
Accidental. Six records (8 birds): at Gibraltar on 29.10.76, in the River Guadiaro estuary on 11.10.82, in Marismas del Palmones on 13.09.86 and on 11&12.04.92; an adult and two juveniles at La Línea, on the coast of the Bay, from the 8th to the10th October ‘85 and another on 17.10.93.
Identification
Like a Common Tern but with a whiter appearance, darker bill and much longer tail that protrudes more than in any other tern when perched. In winter, adults have white foreheads and black bills. Juveniles have bold scaly upperparts and black legs and bill.
Ring recoveries
Ireland (2) and chick ringed in the United Kingdom on 10.06.85 controlled on 10.12.85 at La Línea, 1,912 Km. away.
Bioestrecho editorial text. Last revised: 8 September 2026.
Gallery
desertnaturalist, CC BY · 2022
Henry de Lange, CC BY · 2018
Henry de Lange, CC BY · 2018
Cullen Hanks, CC BY · 2019
Jonathan Layman, CC BY · 2016
Matt Schenck, CC BY · 2016