Whiskered Tern

The whiskered tern is the largest of the marsh terns. Its size, black cap, strong bill and purposeful flight recall a common tern, but its short, forked-looking tail and dark grey breeding plumage above and below are typical of marsh terns. The summer adult has white cheeks and a red bill and legs. In winter the black cap is flecked with white, leaving a dark, C-shaped band from the ear to the hindcrown, and the rump is pale grey all year (Wikipedia, general species account).

It breeds in colonies on inland marshes, sometimes among black-headed gulls, which give some protection. Geographic races differ mainly in size and small plumage details (Wikipedia, general species account).