- Length
- 33–35 cm
- Wingspan
- 80–95 cm
- Weight
- 110 g
Presence in the Strait
Accidental. Five isolated records: at Gibraltar on 13.10.79, at Tarifa on 22.09.99 and at Barbate on 26.09.95, 11.05.96 and 15.10.99.
Identification
Outer tail feathers are longer than the wings but not as long as the Roseate Tern, very short legs and slightly smaller dark red bill without dark tip. In winter, black legs and bill, and white forehead. Juveniles are similar to those of a Common Tern but with darker legs and bill, more extensive black patch on head and paler primaries.
Ring recoveries
Chick ringed on 4.07.95 in United Kingdom controlled on 26.09.95 at Barbate, 2,394 Km. away. It breeds in Nordic countries and winters in South Africa and the Antarctic, crossing the whole Atlantic Ocean. Sternidae ad.W Charrán Rosado ad.E Charrán Común juv. ad.E ad.E Charrán Ártico juv. ad.E
Bioestrecho editorial text. Last revised: 8 September 2026.