Sandwich Tern vs Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel

In short

The Sandwich Tern and Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel are distinct in both appearance and habitat. The Sandwich Tern is a coastal bird with a slender black bill tipped with yellow, while the Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel is a pelagic species with bluish-gray plumage and a forked tail.

Identification tips

• Bill: Look for the black bill with a yellow tip in Sandwich Terns.
• Tail: Note the forked tail of the Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel.
• Habitat: Sandwich Terns are coastal, while Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels are pelagic.
• Plumage: Sandwich Terns have a black cap, whereas Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels are uniformly bluish-gray.

Size

The Sandwich Tern is larger and more robust compared to the smaller, more delicate Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel.

Plumage

The Sandwich Tern has a white body with a black cap and a distinctive black bill with a yellow tip. In contrast, the Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel is bluish-gray overall, with a forked tail and no distinctive cap.

Behaviour

Sandwich Terns are often seen in dense colonies and are more social, while Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels are mostly solitary or in small groups at sea, often following ships.

Habitat

Sandwich Terns are coastal and nest in colonies on beaches or islands, while Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels are pelagic, spending most of their time at sea and nesting in burrows on remote islands.