# Caspian Tern (*Hydroprogne caspia*) The Caspian Tern is a large, elegant bird with a sharp beak and a striking black cap on its head. It loves to fish and can often be seen diving into the water to catch its meals. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 15 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas ![Caspian Tern](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Sterna-caspia-010.jpg&width=800) Photo: Mdf, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sterna-caspia-010.jpg) ## Appearance The Caspian Tern is the world's largest tern, easily recognized by its robust body and massive, bright red-orange bill. It sports a sleek black cap during breeding season, contrasting with its pale grey back and white underparts, making it stand out from smaller, daintier tern species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Charadriiformes - **Family:** Laridae - **Genus:** Hydroprogne ## Interesting facts - Caspian Terns can spot tiny fish swimming from high in the sky! - Their massive orange bill looks just like a giant carrot! - These smart terns dig shallow scrapes in sandy ground for their nests! - They sometimes steal fish from other birds like gulls after a chase! ## Special abilities - **Plunge-Diving Pro:** Caspian Tern can plunge-dive from high in the air to snatch fish because of its specialized vision and powerful muscles, helping them catch speedy prey. - **Migration Navigator:** Caspian Tern can navigate thousands of kilometers during migration because of its innate sense of direction and strong wings, helping them find food-rich wintering grounds. - **Loud Barking Call:** Caspian Tern has a deep, barking call that helps them communicate loudly across noisy colonies and over vast open waters. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 48-61 cm - **Wingspan:** 127-140 cm - **Weight:** 0.53-0.78 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-20 years - **Speed:** 70 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1-3 - **Incubation:** 26-28 days - **Migration Distance:** 10000 km ## Diet & Feeding Caspian Terns are expert fish-catchers, diving headfirst to snatch their slippery prey from the water! - **Primary Foods:** Perch, Herring, Smelt, Sticklebacks, Flounder - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Yellow Perch](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-perch) (*Perca flavescens*) — Common prey in freshwater habitats. - **Eaten by:** [Atlantic Herring](https://www.snappit.app/explore/atlantic-herring) (*Clupea harengus*) — Important food source in marine environments. - **Eaten by:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — May raid nests for eggs or chicks. - **Eaten by:** European Herring Gull (*Larus argentatus*) — Opportunistically preys on tern eggs and chicks. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see a bird like this, watch it from a distance so it feels safe. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Caspian Tern? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Caspian Tern? 48-61 cm ### What is Caspian Tern's wingspan? 127-140 cm ### How much does Caspian Tern weigh? 0.53-0.78 kg ### How long does Caspian Tern live? 15-20 years ### How fast can Caspian Tern move? 70 km/h ### What does Caspian Tern eat? Caspian Terns are expert fish-catchers, diving headfirst to snatch their slippery prey from the water! ### Where is Caspian Tern usually found? Coastal areas ## Where to spot - [Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bolsa-chica-ecological-reserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Franks Tract State Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/franks-tract-state-recreation-area) — California, US · State Park - [Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mitchell-park-horticultural-conservatory) — Wisconsin, US · Botanical Garden - [Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mono-lake-tufa-state-natural-reserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Pointe Mouillee State Game Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pointe-mouillee-state-game-area) — Michigan, US · Nature Reserve - [Presidio Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/presidio-park) — California, US · Nature Reserve [View all places to see Caspian Tern](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/caspian-tern) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Caspian Tern: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/caspian-tern)