Caspian Tern

Hydroprogne caspia

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Brief #

White head with a black cap and white neck, belly and tail, black legs, and a long thick red-orange bill with a small black tip.

Synonyms #

  • Pagaza piquirroja (Spanish)
  • CarrĂ¡n do Caspio (Galician)

Red List Status #

The Caspian Tern is unlikely to become extinct in the near future.
Find out more about IUCN's Red List program here

Description #

Adult birds have black legs, and a long thick red-orange bill with a small black tip. They have a white head with a black cap and white neck, belly and tail. The upper wings and back are pale grey; the underwings are pale with dark primary feathers. In flight, the tail is less forked than other terns and wing tips black on the underside. In winter, the black cap is still present (unlike many other terns), but with some white streaking on the forehead. The call is a loud heron-like croak.

Measurements #

Length: 48 - 60 cm
Wingspan: 1.27 - 1.45 m
Weight: 530 - 782 g