Adult: Often mispronounced Forester’s or Foster’s, commonly seen in Florida during winter, and it is a year-long resident when immature. The winter bird is distinguished by a thick black bill, a black patch that covers the eye and ear, a white head and underparts, pale gray mantle and orange legs. Wings extend beyond tail. Call is a short hoarse elongated “Keee-arr.”

Breeding Plumage: The breeding Forster’s Tern’s orange bill is black-tipped. A black cap extends from bill into nape. Wingtips are paler than mantle.

Immature:  The mantle of the immature is marked with brown, and the tail is short. It is similar to winter adult, with an abbreviated eye-ear patch.

Habitat: Open Salt and Fresh Water, and Salt and Freshwater Marshes. Coasts. Wet Prairies and Agricultural Environments.

Forster’s Tern immatures remain in Florida year-round. The adults migrate to far-northern marshes to breed, returning to Florida to spend the winter.

Text by Mary Jean Rogers, West Volusia Audubon.