Large-billed Tern (Phaetusa simplex)

Order: Charadriiformes | Family: Laridae | IUCN Status: Least Concern

large-billed-tern
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Amazonia

Identification & Behavior: ~38.5 cm (15.1 in). The Large-billed tern is unmistakable in its range. It has a thick and long yellow bill, black cap (alternate plumage), and white underparts. The wings are patterned with white, gray, and black. In Peru, it overlaps with the smaller Yellow-billed Tern.

Status: The Large-billed Tern is fairly common along Amazonian rivers. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Gaviotín de Pico Grande.

Sub-species: Large-billed Tern (Phaetusa simplex), J. F. Gmelin 1789.

Meaning of Name: Phaetusa: Gr. sister of Phaeton and a daughter of Phoebus and Climene. simplex: l. simple.

See more of the Family Laridae

Distribution Map
Voice

References:

- Species range based on: Schulenberg, T. S., D. F. Stotz, and L. Rico. 2006. Distribution maps of the birds of Peru, version 1.0. Environment, Culture & Conservation (ECCo). The Field Museum. http://fm2.fieldmuseum.org/uw_test/birdsofperu on 01/01/2015.

Sitewide References.