General Description
Upper body pale grey, top of head black with white streaks, neck and underparts white. Bill red. When breeding: top of head black with white. Young birds with upperparts mottled brown. Body up to 56 cm long.
Biology
This is the largest tern species in Australia.
Habitat
Coastal bays and inlets, also inland wetlands and swamps.
Coastal shores
Distribution guide
Australia.
Species Group
Max Size
56 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Commercial Species
Yes
Global Dispersal
Native to Australia
Conservation Status
- DSE Advisory List : Near Threatened
- EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
- IUCN Red List : Least Concern
Author
Wayne Longmore is a Senior Collection manager of terrestrial vertebrates at Museum Victoria.
Author
Rory O'Brien is a Collection Manager of terrestrial vertebrates at Museum Victoria.
Cite this page as:
Longmore, N. W. & O'Brien, R., 2011, Caspian Tern, Sterna caspia, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 13 Apr 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/7931
