| Family: |
Laridae () |
| Max. size: |
43 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 290.0 g |
| Environment: |
others; brackish; marine |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific, Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean. |
| Diagnosis: |
Culmen: 4.1 cm; tarsus: 2.3 cm; wing: 33.0 cm. |
| Biology: |
Total Length: 35 to 43 cm; Wingspan: 86 to 103 cm (Ref. 8812). Total population is 55,000 pairs, mostly in Asia, 40,000 pairs. European population of about 6,800 to 160,000 pairs is declining due to loss of habitat (Ref. 84934). Surface seizing; coastal; coastal Islands (Ref. 356). Feeds by dipping to the sea surface with occasional plunge-dives. Breeds colonially in salt marshes, salt works, coastal dunes, islands and freshwater lagoons in southern North America, Caribbean, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and northern Africa (Ref. 84934). Gull-billed terns are observed to display group adherence. This species has a high nest fidelity in stable habitats, and yet when environmental disasters occur, they retain their mates and settle with the same neighbors at the breeding locality (Ref. 87784). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
(LC); Date assessed: 14 August 2019 Ref. 123251)
|
| Threat to humans: |
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| Country info: |
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