Gull-billed Tern

Gelochelidon nilotica - Sterne hansel

Systematics

Order
:
Charadriiformes
Family
:
Laridés
Genus
:
Gelochelidon
Species
:
nilotica

Descriptor

Gmelin, JF, 1789

Biometrics

Size
: 43 cm
Wingspan
: 85 à 103 cm.
Weight
: 200 à 300 g

Longevity

16 years

Geographic range

Distribution

Identification

Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica) is a species of bird in the Laridae family.

Subspecific information 5 subspecies

Gelochelidon nilotica nilotica (Europe, n Africa through the Middle East and sc Asia to w China and Thailand)
Gelochelidon nilotica affinis (Japan, s and e China through se Asia to Philippines, Sumatra, Sulawesi and Borneo)
Gelochelidon nilotica aranea (e and s USA through Greater Antilles)
Gelochelidon nilotica vanrossemi (s California. USA. to nw Mexico)
Gelochelidon nilotica gronvoldi (French Guiana to ne Argentina)

Foreign names

Sterne hansel,
Pagaza piconegra,
tagaz-comum,
Lachseeschwalbe,
kacagócsér,
Lachstern,
Sterna zampenere,
sandtärna,
Sandterne,
rybárka krátkozobá,
rybák černozobý,
Sandterne,
hietatiira,
Oostelike Seeswael (Oostelike Sterretjie),
curroc,
Sandþerna,
rybitwa krótkodzioba,
kāpu zīriņš,
črnonoga čigra,
Чайконосая крачка,
Dara-laut tiram,
ハシブトアジサシ,
鸥嘴噪鸥,
นกนางนวลแกลบปากหนา,
鷗嘴燕鷗,

Voice song and cries

play
pause

Habitat

Wetlands (inland) : Permanent Rivers/Streams/Creeks (includes waterfalls), Permanent Freshwater Lake

s (over 8ha), Seasonal/Intermittent Freshwater Lakes (over 8ha) ; Marine Neritic : Pelagic, Estuaries ; Marine Intertidal : Sandy Shoreline and/or Beaches, Sand Bars, Spits, Etc ; Marine Coastal/Supratidal : Coastal Sand Dunes, Coastal Brackish/Saline Lagoons/Marine Lakes, Coastal Freshwater Lakes ; Artificial/Aquatic and Marine : Water Storage Areas (over 8ha), Irrigated Land (includes irrigation channels)