Key information
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.
What they eat:
Fish such as sandeels, sprats and whiting.
Measurements:
- Length:
- 36-41cm
- Wingspan:
- 95-105cm
- Weight:
- 210-260g
Population:
- UK breeding:
- 11,000 pairs
Identifying features:
This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season.
Sandwich tern (adult/summer plumage)

Sandwich tern (adult winter plumage)

Sandwich tern (juvenile)
