Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia)

                                                                   Caspian Tern photos by BarrytheBirder

The Caspian Tern is the largest of approximately 14 tern species found in the Great Lakes, central Canada, the maritime provinces and some America states.   It is bulky and almost the size of the Herring Gull, wide-ranging but usually seen in small numbers.

It has a spear-shaped stout bill and a shallow fork tail.   It is found in a variety of freshwater and marine habitats.   They nest in small colonies on gravel banks, wetlands and sandbars or in larger gull and and other tern colonies.

They dive for fish like other terns.   Their call is a raspy harsh 'kowk' , 'kaaar' or 'kahhrrrr', deeper than other tern calls.

Normally, the Caspian Tern is the only large tern seen in inland waters.

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    BarrytheBirder