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Birds by name

Sandwich tern

Conservation status: Amber

The Sandwich tern is a very white tern, with a black cap on its head, a long black bill with a yellow tip and short black legs. In flight it shows grey wedges on its wings tips and it has a short forked tail. In the UK, many of the important colonies survive because they are on nature reserves.

Overview

Latin name

Sterna sandvicensis

Family

Terns (Sternidae)

Where to see them

There are colonies of Sandwich terns scattered around the UK coasts including the North Norfolk coast; Minsmere, Suffolk; and Dungeness, Kent.

When to see them

From late March to September.

What they eat

Fish such as sandeels, sprats and whiting.

Population

EuropeUK breeding*UK wintering*UK passage*
-12,490 pairs--

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

Key

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Illustrations

Audio

David Farrow, Xeno-canto

Characteristics

Sandwich tern (adult breeding)

Sandwich tern - breeding plumage
  • Size: between pigeon-mallard
  • Feather colours: black, white, grey
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey, yellow
  • Beak length: long
  • Beak thickness: long
  • Beak shape: long
  • Leg colour: black/grey
  • Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground, dives underwater

Sandwich tern (adult winter)

Sandwich tern - non-breeding plumage, in flight
  • Size: between pigeon-mallard
  • Feather colours: black, white, grey
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey, yellow
  • Beak length: long
  • Beak thickness: long
  • Beak shape: long
  • Leg colour: black/grey
  • Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground, dives underwater

Sandwich tern (juvenile)

Sandwich tern - juvenile
  • Colouring: Juvenile
  • Size: between pigeon-mallard
  • Feather colours: brown, black, white, grey
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey
  • Beak length: long
  • Beak thickness: long
  • Beak shape: long
  • Leg colour: black/grey
  • Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground, dives underwater

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