Sandwich Tern

Adult Sandwich Terns in spring plumage have black upper-head to the line of eyes, the feathers of nape elongated and formed the crest. The mantle is pale-grey. Fly feathers are dark with white borders of inner webs. Head-flanks, all underparts and tail feathers are white sometimes with pink tinge on breast and belly. Bill is black yellow-tipped, legs are black with yellow soles. Eyes are dark-brownish. The distinction of winter plumage is in white fore-head and lores, with black streaks on crown. The feathers of nape are brownish-black, often with white edges. Juveniles have greyish-black “cap” with buffy edges of feathers and white mottles. Feathers of mantle are buffy-tinged with blackish streaks formed angles on feathers. Sizes: wing 290-325 mm, tarsus 25-30 mm, bill 50-58 mm. Weight: 200-275 gr.

Sandwich Tern is rare breeding migrant. It inhabits marine low cockle-shell or sandy islands without, or nearly so, vegetation. Arrives in April. Breeds in dense colonies, at 10-30 cm each pair of other, together with Common and Little Terns, Slender-billed Gull often. Nest is shallow hole without lining. Clutches of 1-2, very rare 3 eggs in end June – July. Both parents incubate for 22-23 days, juveniles fledge at 35 days old, up to mid-August. On Mangyshlak intense migration to north observed at end July 1951 and 1952, but this not explained. At autumn latest birds recorded in October.