General

Caspian Tern: Large, stocky tern with pale gray upperparts and white underparts. Cap is black and may appear weakly crested; large bill is coral-red. Undersides of primaries are gray. Tail is white, relatively short, and slightly forked; legs are black. Sexes are similar. Winter adult has dark streaked cap and white eye rings. Juvenile resembles winter adult but has gray chevrons on white back, dark gray legs, and orange bill.

Range and Habitat

Caspian Tern: Breeds in scattered colonies from Mackenzie, Great Lakes, and Newfoundland south to the Gulf coast and Baja California. Spends winters north to California and North Carolina. Also breeds in Eurasia, Africa, and Australia. Preferred habitats include sandy or pebbly shores of lakes and large rivers and along coasts.

Breeding and Nesting

Caspian Tern: One to five brown marked, pink buff eggs are laid in a shallow depression in sand, often lined with shell fragments and grass. Incubation ranges from 20 to 28 days and is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Caspian Tern: Eats mostly fish such as mullet and menhaden. Plunge dives or catches fish at surface while flying above; steals food from other birds.

Vocalization

Caspian Tern: Call is harsh deep "kaark" or "ka-arr."

Similar Species

Caspian Tern: Royal Tern has orange bill and deeply forked tail.