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Terns are generally long-lived birds, with individuals typically returning for 7–10 breeding seasons. Maximum known ages include 34 for an Arctic tern and 32 for a sooty. Although several other species are known to live in captivity for up to 20 years, their greatest recorded ages are underestimates because the birds can outlive their rings ...
He placed it with the other terns in the genus Sterna and coined the binomial name Sterna simplex. [2] Gmelin based his description on the "simple tern" that had been described in 1785 by the English ornithologist John Latham in his book A General Synopsis of Birds from a specimen that had been collected in Cayenne , French Guiana . [ 3 ]
The adults have very long, flexible tail streamers and orange-red legs. In summer, the underparts of adults take on the pinkish tinge which gives this bird its name. In winter, the forehead becomes white and the bill black. Juvenile roseate terns have a scaly appearance like juvenile Sandwich Terns, but a fuller black cap than that species.
Arctic terns are medium-sized birds. They have a length of 28–39 cm (11–15 in) and a wingspan of 65–75 cm (26–30 in). [ 3 ] They are mainly grey and white plumaged, with a red/orange beak and feet, white forehead, a black nape and crown (streaked white), and white cheeks.
In mixed colonies, common terns will tolerate somewhat longer ground vegetation than Arctic terns, but avoid the even taller growth acceptable to roseate terns; the relevant factor here is the different leg lengths of the three species. [59] Common terns adapt readily to artificial floating rafts, and may even nest on flat factory roofs. [58]
It is 39–42 cm (15–17 in) long with an 76–81 cm (30–32 in) wingspan, and a weight of 190–325 g (6.7–11.5 oz). [14] [15] Its legs are black. From late summer to winter, the forehead becomes white. Juvenile elegant terns have a scalier pale gray back. The call is a characteristic loud grating noise similar to other Thalasseus terns.
The terns, subfamily Sterninae, are small to medium-sized seabirds closely related to the gulls, skimmers and skuas.They are gull-like in appearance, but typically have a lighter build, long pointed wings (which give them a fast, buoyant flight), a deeply forked tail and short legs.
Adult royal tern and Cabot's tern (smaller bird, right) in flight at Core Banks, North Carolina. All white underparts Rodanthe, North Carolina. This is a large tern, second only to the Caspian tern but is unlikely to be confused with this "carrot-billed" giant, which has extensive dark underwing patches.