Gull-billed Tern

Sterna nilotica

(S. n. nilotica)

Armenian Name: Որորակտուց ջրածիծառ
Species Status: Threatened Species - Species of Special Concern
Gull-billed Tern

See Plate 33 for Gull-billed Tern and other similar species

Resident Status: Breeding bird
Abundance: Uncommon
Length:35-38 cm, Wing Span:100-115 cm
Distribution Map: Map 166.
Description: Short thick black bill, black legs, and short shallowly-forked tail.
Adult (Breeding): Back crown, pale-gray upperparts, white underparts.
Adult (Non-breeding): White head with dark eye patch.
Juvenile: Small dark eye patch. Faint brownish markings on crown, nape, and upperparts.
Similar Species: Differs from other terns by combination of medium size, pale plumage, short thick black bill, and short forked tail.
Behavior: Very vocal. Picks food from ground in flight.
Habitat: Fish ponds, lakes.
Food: Invertebrates, small vertebrates.
Nest: Shallow ground scrape.
Eggs: 49 mm, 1-4, pale yellow-brown, black spots.