Birds of North America Illustrations

Arctic Tern Adult: Medium-sized, slim tern with gray upperparts, black cap, white rump and throat, and pale gray underparts. Tail is deeply forked and white with dark edges on outer feathers. Bill is dark red, rarely tipped with black. Legs and feet are red. Sexes are similar. Winter adult has dark red or black bill, black cap restricted to back of head, white forehead and underparts, and black legs and feet. Juvenile resembles winter adult but has pale brown wash on forehead, black bill, red legs and feet, and white and gray mottled upperparts.