C IUCN · LC · Least Concern Charadriiformes Laridae

Gull-billed Tern

Gelochelidon nilotica

CIOC 2229

Gull-billed Tern

Gelochelidon nilotica

Charadriiformes · Laridae

Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica).

ATK102

DEF66

XC431990 · Joost van Bruggen · CC BY-SA 4.0

2169 / 11068

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Illustration · not to scale

Body length: 33–42 cm
Body Mass: 218.3 g
Wingspan: 94 cm
Diet: Omnivorous
Migration: Migratory

⚔️ Ecological Combat Rationale

ATK 102

Ecomorphologically adapted beak and agile strike momentum tailored to its foraging competition niche (ATK 102).

DEF 66

Lightweight agility and protective plumage camouflage favoring rapid evasive maneuverability over raw armor (DEF 66).

* These descriptions interpret game abilities, not measured physical strength. Generated scores use body mass, rarity and balancing rules; legacy cards retain manual values.

How to identify

Detailed field marks are not yet available. Use the linked sources to confirm an identification.

Similar species

Species-specific comparison notes are not yet available. Related birds below are not necessarily lookalikes.

Calls & songs

Joost van Bruggen · Sources & credits

🌍 Range & Habitat

Distribution: Palearctic & Africa & Oriental & North America & Middle America & South America: widespread inland & Southwestern Europe to Northeastern China; coastal China; coastal Western North Atlantic and Caribbean; coastal Southern California and Mexico; coastal South America and inland North-central Argentina Habitat: Coastal

5 · Subspecies & regional ranges

Gelochelidon nilotica nilotica
inland s Europe, n Africa through the Middle East to Inner Mongolia (ne China) and Indus Valley (c Pakistan)
Gelochelidon nilotica affinis
coastal Bohai Gulf (ec China) to se China
Gelochelidon nilotica aranea
coastal w North Atlantic of e USA from s New England to Florida, Gulf of Mexico to se Mexico; Greater Antilles and Virgin Is.
Gelochelidon nilotica vanrossemi
s California to Sinaloa (nw Mexico)
Gelochelidon nilotica gronvoldi
patchily coastal French Guiana and Ecuador (race?) to Brazil and ec Argentina; also inland in nc Argentina

IOC World Bird List 15.2 ↗

Frequently asked questions

What is its scientific name?

Gelochelidon nilotica

Which family does it belong to?

Gulls, Terns, Skimmers (Laridae)

Where is it found?

Palearctic & Africa & Oriental & North America & Middle America & South America: widespread inland & Southwestern Europe to Northeastern China; coastal China; coastal Western North Atlantic and Caribbean; coastal Southern California and Mexico; coastal South America and inland North-central Argentina