Sandwich Tern

Tha/llSSIJUS sandvicensis

Beak

—

Feet

—

Crest

Has a crest

Visitor. Mainly W coasts. Slim black bill with yellow tip, and more rakish appearance than Gull-billed with narrower, more pointed wings which appear set forward and sharply angled, and longer, tapering body. White rump and tail contrast with greyer back. Adult breeding has black cap with crest. Adult non-breeding has white forehead and crown, and black crest forming U-shaped patch. First-winter and first-summer as adult non-breeding, but with darfcer lesser-covert and secondary bars, and dark corners to tail. Juvenile more heavily marked than juvenile Gull-billed, with dark subterminal bars to wing-coverts and mantle, and dark patterning to tertials; has black rear crown a ndnape lacking in juvenile Gull-billed. Formerly placed in Stema A marinete rn; frequents coasts, tidal creeks and open sea.