Gull-billed Tern
A species of Gelochelidon Terns Scientific name : Gelochelidon nilotica Genus : Gelochelidon Terns
Gull-billed Tern, A species of Gelochelidon Terns
Botanical name: Gelochelidon nilotica
Genus: Gelochelidon Terns
Content
Description General Info
Description
This is a fairly large and powerful tern, similar in size and general appearance to a Sandwich tern, but the short thick gull-like bill, broad wings, long legs and robust body are distinctive. The summer adult has grey upperparts, white underparts, a black cap, strong black bill and black legs. The call is a characteristic ker-wik. It is 33–42 cm (13–17 in) in length and 76–91 cm (30–36 in) in wingspan. Body mass ranges from 150–292 g (5.3–10.3 oz). In winter, the cap is lost, and there is a dark patch through the eye like a Forster's tern or a Mediterranean gull. Juvenile gull-billed terns have a fainter mask, but otherwise look much like winter adults. Juvenile Sandwich terns have a short bill, and are frequently mistaken for gull-billed tern where the latter species is uncommon, such as North Sea coasts. 
Size
33-36 cm (13-14 in)
Life Expectancy
16 years
Nest Placement
Ground
Clutch Size
1 - 7 eggs
Feeding Habits
Gull-billed Tern's diet is varied, mainly comprising insects but also includes fish, lizards, aquatic animals, and occasionally, chicks of other birds. Gull-billed Tern exhibits opportunistic feeding behaviors to suit this diverse diet.
Habitat
Gull-billed Tern are typically found in diverse, often coastal habitats. They breed on gravelly or sandy beaches, indicating a preference for open, sparsely vegetated areas near water bodies. During winter, gull-billed Tern frequent salt marshes, estuaries, lagoons, and sometimes plowed fields. Although more common in coastal locations, they can occasionally be found along rivers, around lakes, and in freshwater marshes. They adapt to various altitudes and climates, from sea level to elevated inland locations.
Nest Behavior
Gull-billed Tern build nests in small colonies, often with other species. Both parents craft the nest and lay eggs in a barren setting, then tend to the eggs and young together.
Nest Characteristics
Gull-billed Tern's nest is a shallow scrape in sand with a 7–12 inch diameter rim, often lined with shells, grasses, or twigs. It features an internal diameter of 5–6 inches and a rim height of 1–3 inches.
Dite type
Insectivorous
General Info
Sounds
Call
Recording location: Sri Lanka
ImmatureCall
Recording location: Sri Lanka
Behavior
Gull-billed Tern exhibits unique foraging techniques compared to other tern species, skillfully plucking prey from the ground mid-flight and adeptly capturing flying insects. Unlike many of its relatives, gull-billed Tern typically refrains from plunge-diving to catch fish, demonstrating a distinctive approach to feeding that involves less interaction with aquatic environments and more engagement with terrestrial habitats. This behavior is a defining characteristic that differentiates gull-billed Tern from other terns, reflecting its adaptation to specific ecological niches. Daily activities of gull-billed Tern are centered around these feeding strategies, along with other common behaviors such as flying, resting, and social interactions within their habitats.
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Shorebirds Family
Gulls Genus
Gelochelidon Terns Species
Gull-billed Tern 
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