Gull-billed Tern

Sterna nilotica

(S. n. nilotica)

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

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.