Birdsong field guide
Caspian Tern
Hydroprogne caspia
The Caspian Tern is the world's largest tern, distinguished by its massive, carrot-red bill and powerful, gull-like flight profile.
What it sounds like
A loud, harsh, and raspy 'kraaa-ah' that sounds more like a heron or a large gull than a typical tern.
Field notes
- It is the largest tern species in the world, with a wingspan that can reach up to 57 inches.
- Both parents are highly territorial and will aggressively dive-bomb intruders to protect their nesting colonies.
- Unlike most terns, they occasionally steal fish from other fish-eating birds, a behavior known as kleptoparasitism.
- The species is cosmopolitan, found on every continent except Antarctica and South America (where it is only a rare vagrant).
- They are long-lived birds, with the oldest recorded individual reaching over 32 years of age.
Habitat
Large inland lakes, coastal bays, estuaries, and sandy beaches.
Range
Globally distributed across North America, Eurasia, Africa, and Australia.
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