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Large-billed tern (Phaetusa simplex)

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Large-billed tern (Phaetusa simplex)

English, Dutch and scientific names.
Species/Soort Family/Familie Order/Orde Class/Klasse Phylum/Stam Kingdom/Rijk
Large-billed tern Gulls, terns and skimmers Shorebirds, gulls, and relatives Birds Chordate Animals
Grootsnavelstern Meeuwen Steltloperachtigen Vogels Gewervelden Dieren
Phaetusa simplex Laridae Charadriiformes Aves Chordata Animalia

Barão de Melgaço, Mato Grosso, Brazil (108 m)

2026:09:09 09:51:43
Large-billed tern (Phaetusa simplex)
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5, 1/2500 sec at F5.6, ISO 500, distance 17.2 m

The long-billed terns rest together with the skimmers. Both species are large and have very large beaks. The terns can also cut through the water surface to catch fish. With their large beaks, they can also catch larger fish in dive attacks.

Paiaguás (Corumbá, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, 104 m)

2026:09:08 16:49:13
Large-billed tern (Phaetusa simplex)
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5, 1/2000 sec at F5.0, ISO 500, distance 28.1 m

Poconé, Mato Grosso, Brazil (100 m)

2026:09:07 11:35:34
Large-billed tern (Phaetusa simplex)
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5, 1/2500 sec at F5.6, ISO 500, distance 42.8 m

Where I have seen this species

The database holds 22 pictures at 5 locations. Click a dot for the place and date; use + and − to zoom in and out, and drag the map to move around.

Links

Gulls, terns and skimmers

Orders with photos