General Description

Upper body and wings pale grey, neck and underparts white, top of head mottled black and white. Wide black patch on the back of the neck, extending to sides of face. Bill yellow. When breeding: top of head black with a crest. Young birds with upperparts mottled brown and a green-yellow bill. Body up to 48 cm long.

Biology

Crested Terns usually breed for the first time when they are about two years old.

Habitat

Coastal bays and inlets.

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Australia.

Species Group

Birds › Gulls and terns

Max Size

48 cm

Diet

Carnivore

Commercial Species

Yes

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Conservation Status

• DSE Advisory List : Not listed
• EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
• IUCN Red List : Least Concern