A slender, gray tern of coastal Alaska. Alternate Adult has gray back, wings, and underparts, forked white tail, white face, black cap and eyeline, white forehead, thin black bill, and black legs. Basic Adult has dark primaries, white underparts, blackish smudge on shoulder, and white head with black mark behind eye. Sexes are similar. Juvenile is rusty-brown and heavily patterned on back and wings, with orange legs.

Length: 30 (cm) Wingspan: 74 (cm)

Habitat:

Open ocean, nests on islands and coastal areas.

Behavior:

Breeds colonially, sometimes with Arctic Terns. Nest is a platform of vegetation on the ground.

Feeding:

Picks food off water's surface, makes shallow dives, and sits on water to catch fish and other small aquatic organisms.