Caspian tern

Caspian tern standing on pale gravel with its heavy red-orange bill open, Manitoba

The Caspian tern is the largest tern in the world, with a heavy, bright red-orange bill, a black cap, pale gray wings, and black legs. Its size and stout bill make it easy to tell from the smaller terns.

Caspian terns nest in colonies on open, bare ground near large lakes and rivers, often alongside gulls. They hunt by flying over open water and plunging in after fish, and in Manitoba they are seen in the warmer months.

The heavy red-orange bill and bold black cap of a Caspian tern give the largest tern a commanding look that I really like.

To learn more about this bird and its habitat, visit the caspian tern page at All About Birds.

Caspian tern Manitoba sightings

Where and when you can find the caspian tern in Manitoba depends on the season and the habitat. You can see more species in the Manitoba birds section.

Map of Manitoba showing where the caspian tern nests, with major cities and lakes
Where to look for the caspian tern in Manitoba through the seasons: nesting in the Boreal Plains and the Prairies (gold). Habitat regions: National Ecological Framework for Canada. Boundaries: Statistics Canada. Lakes: Natural Earth.

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