A slender, dark-backed tern, breeds in the Florida Keys. Alternate Adult has black wings, dark gray back, forked tail extending past wings, gray stripe down center of spread tail, white underparts, black legs, black cap and eyeline, white forehead extending past eye, and thin black bill. Basic Adult has more white on forehead. Immature has white head with faint black eyeline. Sexes are similar. Juvenile has scalloped back and wings. Sooty Tern is blacker-backed in all plumages.

Length: 39 (cm) Wingspan: 76 (cm)

Habitat:

Open ocean, nests on islands.

Behavior:

Breeds colonially; nest is a platform of plant material. Flies over open water or perches on floating debris.

Feeding:

Swoops or hovers over surface of water to pick up fish and other small aquatic organisms.