{"id":27568,"date":"2023-05-23T10:16:29","date_gmt":"2023-05-23T08:16:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=146067"},"modified":"2023-05-23T10:35:34","modified_gmt":"2023-05-23T08:35:34","slug":"sandwich-tern-guide-facts-breeding-and-migration","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/sandwich-tern-guide-facts-breeding-and-migration\/","title":{"rendered":"Sandwich tern guide: facts, breeding and migration"},"content":{"rendered":"

The sandwich tern is our largest tern, easily identified by its black, crested cap in spring and early summer. Learn more about this seabird, including what they look like, breeding and migration patterns with our guide to sandwich terns <\/p>

By Dominic Couzens\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 23 May 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Our largest tern<\/a>, the sandwich tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis<\/em>) is the same size as a black-headed gull, but its features are much more pointed \u2013 bill, wings and a shortish tail.<\/p>\n

This is a common seabird, with 14,000 breeding pairs, and can be seen from March to October (with a few overwintering) along Britain\u2019s shores.<\/p>\n

In this guide we take a closer look at the sandwich tern, including what they look like, breeding and migration patterns.<\/p>\n

Interested in learning more about Britain\u2019s birds? Check out our guides to puffins<\/a>, gannets<\/a> and auks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Terns of Britain \u00a0<\/h4>\n

Arctic terns, common terns and little terns grace Britain\u2019s shores in the summers months. Learn how to identify them \u2013 and other tern species \u2013 with BBC Countryfile Magazine\u2019s guide to terns<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p><\/div>

\""Arctic\"<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>

Sandwich tern identification<\/h2>\n

The sandwich tern shares the black cap of most terns but it\u2019s the only one with an obvious crest, visible at least in spring and early summer before being moulted. It looks rather like the crest feathers were hurriedly smartened up with a hairdryer.<\/p>\n

The bill is long and black, and it has a yellow tip (\u201cthe mustard in the sandwich\u201d). However, perhaps the most obvious feature of a sandwich tern, especially from a distance, is its whiteness. It looks like a good advert for a washing powder, a contrast to the obvious greyness of common and Arctic terns, which are also significantly smaller.<\/p>\n

\""Group\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
A group of sandwich terns on the Farne Islands\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Sandwich tern distribution and habitat<\/h2>\n

The sandwich tern is very much a coastal bird, most unlikely to be seen anywhere inland, but it is reasonably common and widespread. It often hovers well above water, with its head pointing downwards, before executing an impressive headfirst dive to grab fish near the surface. Listen out for its call, a far-carrying kree-ick<\/em>, which somebody has cleverly likened to the sounds made when the dentist presses amalgam into your tooth when filling it.<\/p>\n

\""Sandwich\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Sandwich terns perform an impressive headfirst dive to grab fish\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Sandwich tern breeding, eggs and chicks<\/h2>\n

Sandwich terns breed in colonies; if you visit one, take the earmuffs with you. The birds lay eggs on beaches and on islands within lagoons, without building a nest. If anything goes wrong and the colony is disturbed, the birds simply abandon it for the year. Otherwise, colonies are places where fish are brought in; either males feeding their mates, or hassled adults bringing offerings to their insatiably hungry chicks.<\/p>\n

\""Sandwich\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Sandwich terns courting on a beach\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Sandwich terns follow a modern human trend of young being dependent on their parents for a long time, even once fully grown. You can sometimes see a sandwich tern youngster haranguing its parents on migration, or even after arrival in the winter quarters in West Africa.<\/p>\n

Seabirds of Britain<\/h4>\n

Discover some of the UK\u2019s most common types of seabird, where they live and the best places to see them with BBC Countryfile Magazine\u2019s guide to seabirds<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p><\/div>

\""Gannets\"<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section> <\/body><\/html>\n
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