Gull-billed Tern

Gelochelidon nilotica

Family: Skimmers, Noddies, Terns, and Gulls · Status: Rare visitor · Size: 34.5–37.5 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Breeds in southern Europe, temperate and eastern Asia, North America, eastern South America and Australia. Northern populations winter south to Africa, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean and northern South America.

Identification

Non-breeding adult resembles Whiskered Tern but is much larger and thicker-billed, with white head, blackish ear-coverts, pale silvery-grey rump and shallow forked tail. Breeding adult has black forehead to nape.

Habitat

Open seas and mudflats; locally at the Straits of Singapore, Changi, Pulau Ubin and Mandai Mudflat.

Behaviour

Does not depend on fish like other terns; takes insects, small crabs and other prey from the ground, air or bushes.