Species Profile
Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensis
Sandwich Tern
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernAlso known as: Cabot's Tern
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Appearance
The Sandwich Tern is a medium-sized seabird with a sleek profile. Its plumage is primarily white, with pale grey upper wings and back. The bird sports a distinctive black crest and a long, slender black bill with a yellow tip. The legs are black.
During the breeding season, adults develop a full black cap extending to the nape in a spiky crest. Winter adults show a white forehead and crown.
Females and males are alike with no visual difference, although research shows that females have shorter heads and beaks, and males have longer lower legs and toes than females.
Juveniles have a barred pattern on their upper parts, darker bills and crowns that resemble non-breeding adults.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- White
- Secondary
- Black
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Black
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Sandwich Terns inhabit coastal areas, preferring sandy or shingle beaches, estuaries, and offshore islands. They are found along the coasts of Europe, Africa, and the Americas, with significant populations in the North Sea and Baltic regions.
During winter, many European birds migrate to the west and south coasts of Africa. In North America, they breed along the Atlantic coast and winter in the Caribbean and South America.
UK colonies are important for the species' European population. They are scattered along the coastline of eastern and southern England, east and west Scotland, the Isle of Man, and parts of north Wales.
Distribution
Where to See This Bird
Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.
United Kingdom
England
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales
Cornwall
Devon
Dorset
Durham
East Riding of Yorkshire
Essex
East Sussex
Hampshire
Isle of Wight
Kent
Merseyside
Lincolnshire
Northumberland
Norfolk
North Yorkshire
Tyne and Wear
Suffolk
West Sussex
Diet
Sandwich Terns primarily feed on small fish such as sand eels, sprats, and herring. They also consume small squid, crustaceans and occasionally insects.
These birds locate prey from the air, then dive rapidly to catch fish just below the water's surface, sometimes submerging completely.
Behaviour
Sandwich Terns are highly social, often seen in large, noisy colonies. They perform elaborate courtship rituals, including aerial displays and fish-offering.
These birds are skilled divers, plunging into the water from heights to catch fish, often hovering briefly before diving.
Calls & Sounds
The Sandwich Tern's call is a distinctive, harsh 'kirr-ik' or 'kerr-wick'. This loud, grating sound is often heard in flight or when the bird is alarmed. During courtship, males produce a softer, purring 'krurr-rr-rr' sound, accompanied by head-bobbing displays.
A cackling ‘gagaga’ cry is commonly heard from birds on the nest when intruders approach and may also be heard when they are defending foraging grounds.
Nesting & Breeding
Sandwich Terns breed in dense colonies, often alongside other tern species or gulls, between 100 and 4,000 pairs. Pair formation begins in April, with elaborate courtship displays, including aerial acrobatics and fish-presenting.
Nests are simple scrapes in sand or shingle, sometimes lined with vegetation. Females typically lay 1-2 eggs, which are variable in colour and can be pure white to buff-coloured with dark brown spots. Both parents share incubation duties.
Nests are at risk of being washed away by the tide, and in order to add an extra layer of protection, they often defecate around the rim of their nest scrape, with their droppings solidifying into a protective ‘ring’ which then has a greater chance of withstanding heavy rain or flooding.
Eggs hatch after about 21-29 days, and chicks fledge at 28-30 days. Parents continue to feed fledglings for several weeks after they leave the nest.
Conservation
While currently listed as Least Concern globally, Sandwich Terns face threats from habitat loss, disturbance at breeding sites, and climate change impacts on fish populations.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting nesting colonies and managing coastal habitats to ensure suitable breeding grounds.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Sandwich Terns along coastal areas, especially near sandy or shingle beaches.
- Listen for their distinctive 'kirr-ik' call, which is louder and harsher than other tern species.
- Observe their unique diving technique, where they plunge straight down with half-closed wings.
- In the UK, visit coastal reserves like Blakeney Point in Norfolk during the summer months.
Did You Know?
- Sandwich Terns can live for over 30 years in the wild.
- They were named after Sandwich, Kent, where they were first scientifically described, not after the food item.
- These birds can dive from heights of up to 12 meters to catch fish.
- The United States is home to an estimated 25 to 32 percent of the global population of Sandwich terns, with up to 46,945 breeding pairs.
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