Yellow-billed Tern
Sternula superciliaris
Small tern with a robust yellow bill. In the breeding plumage has an extensive black crown and small white forehead patch. In the nonbreeding season, the crown is white with a dark mask. Distinguished from Least Tern by the lack of a black tip to the bill and more extensive dark in the wings. Found along large rivers and lakes and seasonally on the coast.
Identification
It measures approximately 23-25 centimeters in body length and weighs 40-57 grams. It has a yellow beak and feet, silvery grey wings and white underbody and forehead. Its crown, nape, and eyeline are black. Juveniles are brown and white without the black cap.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Sternula superciliaris
- Authority
- (Vieillot, 1819)
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Family
- Laridae
- Genus
- Sternula
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Gray-crowned Crocias
Laniellus langbianis
Resembles a three-way cross of a shrike, a sibia, and a laughingthrush. Black robber’s-mask, warm orange-brown back, streaked white underparts, and long gray tail with white tips below. Often seen in pairs of small flocks, sometimes mixed in with other species. Forages in the canopy, clambering around in search of prey. Inhabits mid-elevation forest, often in wetter areas. Song is a series of rapid-fire high-pitched chitters.
Hair-crested Drongo
Dicrurus hottentottus
A large and stocky black drongo with glimmering blue iridescence on the wings, breast, and neck. Note triangular tail with flaring tips that curl out sideways and a large, curved bill with which it crushes insects and probes for nectar. Long, thin, hair-like feathers on its forehead, present only in some subspecies, may be visible at close range. Birds in Java and Sulawesi have white eyes. Encountered singly or in small flocks; also joins foraging flocks with other species. Found in a wide range of forested habitats, where it often uses exposed perches. Calls include a varied jumble of various harsh screeches, nasal yelps, metallic sounds, and beeps.
Brown-bellied Swallow
Orochelidon murina
A rather dark swallow of the Andean highlands from Venezuela to Bolivia. Head and back are dark iridescent blue. Throat and belly are dusty grayish-brown. Tail is relatively long with a deep fork. Flocks are found over forest and clearings, especially around nesting sites on cliffs and landslides. Occurs from 2,500-4,000m, often higher than Blue-and-white Swallow but plenty of overlap.
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