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Forster's Tern
Sterna forsteri
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Least Concern
Wingspan
50.5 cm
Weight
151.25 g
Family
Laridae
Order
Charadriiformes
About
Forster's Tern, 33–36 cm, breeds in interior North American marshes and winters along both US coasts and into Mexico. Distinctive frosted silver upperparts and orange-based bill. In non-breeding plumage, shows a black eye-mask. Piscivore; hovers and plunge-dives in coastal bays and lagoons.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 50.5 cm | 19.9 in |
| Weight | 151.25 g | 5.34 oz |
Habitat & Range
Conservation Status
Least Concern
IUCN Red List
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: SC. Incubation: 23-26 days.
Clutch Size
2-3
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes (Shorebirds & Gulls) |
| Family | Laridae (Gulls & Terns) |
| Genus | Sterna |
| Species | Sterna forsteri |
Distribution
Forster's Tern has been recorded in 5 countries.
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Present
Not recorded
countries highlighted
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Forster's Tern endangered?
The Forster's Tern has a conservation status of Least Concern.
How does the Forster's Tern nest?
Nest type: SC. Incubation: 23-26 days.
How big is the Forster's Tern?
The Forster's Tern has a wingspan of 50.5 cm, weight of 151.25 g.
What order and family does the Forster's Tern belong to?
The Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri) belongs to the order Charadriiformes and the family Laridae.
Similar Birds
Other species in the Laridae family
African Skimmer
Rynchops flavirostris
Least Concern
Aleutian Tern
Onychoprion aleuticus
Vulnerable
Andean Gull
Larus serranus
Least Concern
Antarctic Tern
Sterna vittata
Least Concern
Arctic Herring Gull
Larus smithsonianus
Least Concern
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaea
Least Concern
Armenian Gull
Larus armenicus
Least Concern
Atlantic White Tern
Gygis alba
Least Concern