Birds of North America Home Page

Field Guide for all the Birds of North America


Large-billed Tern

Sterne à gros bec

Phaetusa simplex

Information, images and range maps on over 1,000 birds of North America, including sub-species, vagrants, introduced birds and possibilities

Birds of North America
  • Birds of North America
  • Birds of North America
  • Birds of North America
  • Birds of North America
  • Birds of North America

Life, Habitat & Pictures of North American Terns

B L W W W Family Latin Name
15" 38cm 38" 96.5cm 8.1oz 230g Laridae Phaetusa simplex

  • Summer
  • Year Around
  • Winter
range map

The Large-billed Tern is a native bird of South America. These terns can be seen on the island of Trinidad, which is probably one of the most northern ranges for these seabirds. This tern is very similar to the Yellow-billed Tern, which shares the same ranges. The Large-billed Tern has been seen inside the North American perimeters and is a recognized vagrant.


References to Other Bird Sites:

Avibase - the world bird database This site provides the user with a complete list of bird species, broken down per country, or in the example of the US or Canada, per state and province. Here, bird species names are available in other languages, a great asset to be used as a translation of foreign bird names.

ABA - American Birding Association This site represents an organization that maintains official records of all birds species that have been proven to have been seen inside the perimeters of the North American Continent and the surrounding bodies of water. Regular revised versions are posted to keep the bird list current at all times. This is the list used by all serious birders over their lifetime. You may be aware of the movie called the "Big Year". It was with this list that all the competing birders used in an attempt to set a new record as to how many bird species that could be seen by an individual birder in one calendar year.

I hope you will take advantage of these suggested websites. I have used each of them, in one way or another, throughout the years in my quest to better identify and understand our fine feathered friends.


Classic Collection of North American Birds

CCNAB