Forster's tern

Description:

The Forster's Tern is a member of the tern family Sternidae. Forster's Tern breeds primarily in marshes and winters along the coasts. The comma-shaped black ear patch in winter plumage is distinctive. Forster's Tern is the only tern restricted almost entirely to North America throughout the year. This is a small tern, 33–36 cm long with a 64–70 cm wingspan. It has pale grey upperparts and white underparts. Its legs are red. In winter, the forehead becomes white and a characteristic black eyemask remains. This species is unlikely to be confused with the Common Tern in winter because of the black eyemask. Forster's has a grey centre to its white tail, and the upperwings are pure white, without the darker primary wedge of Common. This bird is named after the naturalist Johann Reinhold Forster.

Habitat:

These Forster's terns were spotted on the Gulf of Mexico beach in Grayton Beach, Florida.