Large-billed Tern (Phaetusa simplex)
Large-billed Tern, Brazil, Sept 2000 - click for a larger image Rio Tapajós, Brazil
September 2000

The large yellow bill and distinctive black and white pattern make this tern unmistakeable.

It is found in South America from Trinidad to northern Argentina mostly along broad rivers.

Large-billed Tern, Brazil, Sept 2000 - click for a larger image It nests on the sandbars that appear when the annual floods subside.

The Large-billed Tern can be aggressive towards other birds and has a loud, raucous call a bit like a goose.
There is an illustration in HBW, Volume 3, Page 662.
Previous Page Back to Index Next Page
If you do not see a menu on the left, you may have arrived at this page from another site. Please click Home to get to my main page.