Gull-billed Tern
© Glen Fergus, CC license (by-sa)
Gull-billed Terns are locally rare during the spring and summer throughout the state and uncommon during winter in south Florida. They can be found feeding at a variety of habitats, particularly freshwater lagoons and impoundments. Their habit of picking food (such as fish, lizards and insects) from the ground or water’s surface (instead of plunge-diving) is a distinctive behavior, which helps distinguish them from other similar-looking tern species. Gull-billed Terns have dark legs, and have thicker bills than other medium-sized terns.
For more information, including a range map and sound recording, visit The Cornell Lab of Ornithology's All About Birds website.
Recommended GFBWT sites:
- Blue Heron Water Reclamation Facility and Wetland Area
- Cayo Costa State Park
- Everglades National Park: Main Entrance
- Gulf Islands National Seashore: Fort Pickens Area
- Huguenot Memorial Park
- Little Talbot Island State Park
- Machaba Balu Preserve
- Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
-
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge: St. Marks Unit
Bird's habitat
They can be found feeding at a variety of habitats, including lagoons & impoundments; they nest on beaches and barrier islands.
