Alternate Adult has gray back and wings with pale primaries, white underparts, deeply forked tail longer than folded wings, black cap and nape, orange bill with black tip, and orange legs. Basic Adult has white underparts, black bill, dark wingtips, and white head with black mask around eye. Sexes are similar. Juvenile is scalloped on back with rusty tones, orange legs, and black mask. In flight, note long tail, white body, and contrasting light primaries.

Length: 33 (cm) Wingspan: 79 (cm)

Voice:

Raspy, harsh, one-note, descending calls.

Habitat:

Marshes, wetlands, ponds, lakes, coastlines.

Behavior:

Flies above water, patrolling back and forth to look for fish below. Breeds colonially; nest is a scrape or mat of vegetation.

Feeding:

Plunge-dives into water to catch fish.