They have a monogamous mating system , forming breeding pairs in which they mate, nest, and care for offspring.
NT: Critically Endangered
At a glance
FamilyGulls, Terns, and Skimmers
SizeMedium
RarityCommon
HabitatCoastal waters, beaches, estuaries, harbours, islands, and offshore waters depending on season.
Best timeMost reliable in Victoria from January to February.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Drew Davison
Range map
Range map
599visible hotspots
15985visible records
5states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Behavior
Nests on sandy beaches, where it is sensitive to disturbance. Hunts by flying low over the water and plunging down to snatch prey from the surface.
Gallery
Regional timing
Western Australia
Victoria
Tasmania
South Australia
New South Wales
Queensland
Commonly confused with
Common TernSterna hirundoBill color differs by subspecies: most have red bill with black tip, but some Asian birds have all-black bills. First-years show dark outer primaries, dark shoulder, and black restricted to back of neck. Similar to Forster's, Arctic, and Roseate Terns. Separated from breeding Forster's Tern by entirely gray upperwings; nonbreeding Forster's shows black ear patch. Somewhat longer-billed and shorter-tailed than Arctic Tern, with paler body. Shorter-tailed and overall darker than gleaming white Roseate Tern. Often found in large flocks, especially in late summer.→White-winged TernChlidonias leucopterusNon-breeding Whiskered Tern can be similar, but has a faded, patchy dark crown instead of earmuffs. Commonly found in flocks around rivers, lakes, and wetlands, where it picks food from surface instead of splash-diving; generally not as closely associated with saltwater as many typical terns.→Lesser Crested TernThalasseus bengalensisAlso note gray upperwing, which separates it from Sandwich Tern. Gray rump and tail are diagnostic if seen well. On juveniles, note dull legs, secondaries with dark centers, and a weakly patterned upperwing. Strictly coastal, usually found on beaches and estuaries.→