Sooty Tern
Onychoprion fuscatus
The Sooty Tern is a rare visitor to Britain, typically seen during the summer months when individuals may wander into British waters, particularly in the southwest. It is most often encountered in coastal areas, especially around islands and marine habitats.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Sooty Tern in the field.
The Sooty Tern can be identified by its dark grey-brown plumage, white forehead patch, and distinctive black tip to the bill. Its slender wings and forked tail are also notable features.
The Sooty Tern is slightly larger than a Black-headed Gull, with a more streamlined body.
The male Sooty Tern has a uniform dark grey-brown plumage, with a white patch on the forehead, and a black tip to the bill, with no significant seasonal variation.
Similar to the male, the female Sooty Tern has the same dark grey-brown plumage and white forehead patch, making the sexes difficult to distinguish in the field.
The Sooty Tern's call is a loud, raspy "skee" or "kyek" sound, often repeated in a series of sharp, high-pitched notes.
Sooty Terns are pelagic birds that feed by skimming the sea surface for small fish, crustaceans, and squid, often flying low over the water with their bills submerged. They are also known for their agile, swift flight and ability to cover long distances over the ocean.
The Sooty Tern can be confused with other tern species, such as the Arctic Tern or the Bridled Tern, but can be distinguished by its dark grey-brown plumage, white forehead patch, and black bill tip, as well as its larger size and more slender wings.
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