A photo of a Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis)
Sandwich Tern

Sandwich Tern

Thalasseus sandvicensis

The Sandwich tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis) is a tern in the family Laridae. It is very closely related to the lesser crested tern (T. bengalensis), Chinese crested tern (T. bernsteini), Cabot's tern (T. acuflavidus), and elegant tern (T. elegans) and has been known to interbreed with the lesser crested. It breeds in the Palearctic from Europe to the Caspian Sea wintering to South Africa, India and Sri Lanka. The Sandwich tern is a medium-large tern with grey upperparts, white underparts, a yellow-tipped black bill and a shaggy black crest which becomes less extensive in winter with a white crown. Young birds bear grey and brown scalloped plumage on their backs and wings. It is a vocal bird. It nests in a ground scrape and lays one to three eggs. Like all Thalasseus terns, the Sandwich tern feeds by plunge diving for fish, usually in marine environments, and the offering of fish by the male to the female is part of the courtship display.
Birda logo
Download Birda for free and join the community of curious everyday people connecting with the natural world
Birda logo
Download Birda for free and join the community

Sandwich Terns on Birda

Photos

Sightings

A photo of a Sandwich Tern photographed in Ythan Estuary--Golf Hut United Kingdom
🦆
Douglas Rintoul
Thursday 23 Mar 2023 - 11:20am
United Kingdom
A map showing the sighting location
🦅
Aart Verrips
Tuesday 21 Mar 2023 - 11:05am
South Africa
A map showing the sighting location
🦅
Adam Cook
Sunday 19 Mar 2023 - 1:05pm
United Kingdom
A map showing the sighting location
🦢
Sophie Dorman
Sunday 19 Mar 2023 - 9:57am
United Kingdom
Connect with nature,
Find your flock
Copyright © 2023 Chirp Birding Ltd. All rights reserved.