Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensis

“Sidekick” of the royal tern typically found in nesting colonies with other terns and gulls near the mouth of the Bay.

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Sandwich tern emerging from the water with a fish.
Sandwich terns can dive for prey from heights of up to 25 feet. (Photo courtesy of john-wolaver/iNaturalist CC BY-NC, toned)

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Appearance

Sandwich terns are a medium-sized tern (about the size of a crow) with white or grayish bodies and black, shaggy crests (top of their head). Sandwich terns found in the southern U.S. will have black bills with yellow tips. They have pointed wings.

Feeding

Sandwich terns hover over the water and then dive head first into the water to catch fish.

Predators

Predators include mammals and larger birds.

Flight

This slim bird has a graceful flight pattern. During courtship, it will perform spirals and descending glides.

Reproduction and life cycle

Sandwich terns lay 1-2 eggs which are incubated by both parents for 21-29 days. Juveniles first fly between 28-32 days after hatching and live with their parents for four months. Sandwich terns form nesting colonies with other terns and gulls.

Did you know?

  • A large summer-time colony of sandwich terns and other terns and gulls can be found at Fort Wool in Hampton Roads.

  • Sandwich terns are less aggressive than common terns but benefit from nesting near their defensive bird.

  • Sandwich terns are far less common than they used to be due to the harvesting of their eggs by humans and removal of coastal habitat.

Sources and additional information

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