Sandwich Tern Similar Species Comparison

Breeding adult (Eurasian)

Slender tern with a long black bill with a pale tip.

Breeding adult (Cabot's)

Slender tern with a long black bill with a pale tip, although pale tip can be difficult to see. It is the only shaggy crested tern with a black bill.

Breeding adult

Nonbreeding adult (Cabot's)

Breeding adult (Cayenne)

Nonbreeding adult with juvenile

Nonbreeding adult (Eurasian)

Nonbreeding adult (Cabot's)

Nonbreeding birds are very pale gray above with only a partial black crown. The bill is black with pale tip.

Nonbreeding adult

Immature (Cayenne)

Immature (Eurasian)

Nonbreeding adult

Juvenile (Cabot's)

Juveniles have a mottled black-and-gray back and a dark rear crown patch. The bill is orangish, but quickly turns dark.

Juvenile (Cayenne)

Juvenile (Eurasian)

Flock (Eurasian)

Highly social tern that congregates in good feeding areas. Note pale gray back and dark bill.