General Description: Sandwich Terns (Thalasseus sandvicensis) are small, pale terns with a forked tail and a slender black bill tipped with yellow. They have a bit of a shaggy black crest. In flight, shows a bit of black in the outer primaries.

This species has differing winter and summer plumage. In breeding plumage, Sandwich Terns have a jet-black cap that extends from the top of the bill to the back of the head. During winter, they lose most of the black feathers in the cap, resulting in a white forehead with a band of black around the edge of the head.

Taxonomy: Charadriiformes, Laridae, Sterninae. Formerly Sterna sandvicensis.

Favored Habitat: Coastal waters with small fish.

Where to Find: Don't look for Sandwich Terns around Las Vegas. Rather, look for them on trips to the coast. Most Sandwich Terns breed along coastal waters on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Occasional on the southern California coast during winter.

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