Gull-billed Tern

1. Thick, short, black bill resembling a gull’s

2. Pale grey upperparts and white underparts with a black cap in breeding season

3. Long black legs and robust body shape

This species is an opportunistic feeder, taking insects, crabs, worms, small amphibians, lizards, and occasionally small mammals or bird chicks. Gull-billed Terns typically nest in small colonies, often with other terns, creating simple ground scrapes for nests on sandy beaches, shell banks, or marsh islands. Most breeding occurs in Southern Australia September-January but can be opportunistic based on water conditions. Females usually lay two to five eggs per clutch, and both parents share incubation duties and care for the young. Their flexible diet and nesting habits help them adapt to changing wetland conditions.

Gull-billed Terns are found in a variety of wetland habitats, including coastal saltmarshes, mudflats, estuaries, and inland lakes or temporary wetlands. They are often seen alone or in pairs, patrolling the edges of marshes and ponds, and are less likely to be found in large flocks with other terns. Their foraging range includes agricultural fields and grasslands, where they hunt insects and small animals.