Sandwich Tern
Sterna sandvicensis

>> GENERAL >>>>>

– medium-sized tern
– slightly smaller and lighter weighted than Common Black-headed Gull
– diurnal migrant, to lesser extent nocturnal
– migrates in small, loose flocks or as family-party (summer)
– very vocal

>> VISUAL ID >>>>>


Sandwich Tern Sterna s. sandvicensis, 1CY
BIF1392, 26/07/2016, Helgoland, Germany, Roland Neumann


Sandwich Tern Sterna s. sandvicensis, 1CY
BIF2216, 04/09/2008, Rügen, Germany, Martin Grimm


Sandwich Tern Sterna s. sandvicensis, 1CY
BIF2217, 04/09/2008, Rügen, Germany, Martin Grimm


Sandwich Tern Sterna s. sandvicensis, 1CY
BIF2215, 31/08/2008, Rügen, Germany, Martin Grimm


Sandwich Tern Sterna s. sandvicensis, AD BREED
BIF0106, 13/05/2010, North sea, offshore, Germany, Mathias Putze


Sandwich Tern Sterna s. sandvicensis, AD BREED
BIF0105, 13/05/2010, North sea, offshore, Germany, Mathias Putze


Sandwich Tern Sterna s. sandvicensis, AD BREED
BIF0104, 13/05/2010, North sea, offshore, Germany, Mathias Putze


Sandwich Tern Sterna s. sandvicensis, AD BREED->NBREED
BIF2218, 04/09/2008, Rügen, Germany, Martin Grimm


Sandwich Tern Sterna s. sandvicensis, AD BREED->NBREED
BIF1541, 10/09/2010, North Sea, offshore, Germany, Roland Neumann


Sandwich Tern Sterna s. sandvicensis, AD BREED->NBREED
BIF1540, 10/09/2010, North Sea, offshore, Germany, Roland Neumann


Sandwich Tern Sterna s. sandvicensis, 1CY
BIF1391, 09/09/2016, North Sea, offshore, Germany, Roland Neumann

BIF589_MPU_I1Q7966_150701_swtern-1-JUV_d_ruegen
Sandwich Tern Sterna s. sandvicensis, 1CY
BIF0589, 01/07/15, Rügen, Germany, Mathias Putze


Sandwich Tern Sterna s. sandvicensis, 1CY
BIF1671, 01/07/15, Rügen, Germany, Roland Neumann

>> ACOUSTIC ID >>>>>

– flight call a powerful three-part rasp
– the first and final part are variable broadband syllables
– the center part is monophonic, slightly ascending with inharmonic partials


Sandwich Tern Sterna s. sandvicensis, AD, calls in flight
BIF0107, 10/07/2012, Cley, United Kingdom, Patrick Franke

Sandwich Tern Sterna s. sandvicensis, AD, calls in flight
– detail –
BIF0107, 10/07/2012, Cley, United Kingdom, Patrick Franke

Sandwich Tern Sterna s. sandvicensis, AD, calls in flight
– overview –
BIF0107, 10/07/2012, Cley, United Kingdom, Patrick Franke

>> COMPARISON SPECIES >>>>>

Cabot’s Tern
Common Tern
Arctic Tern
Gull-billed Tern

#seabird #seabirds

#ornithology #birdmigration #birdID #birdguide #birding #birdwatching #birdsound #westernpalearctic #europe #vismig #flightcalls #middleeast #northernafrica #workinprogress