Photo: Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Least Concern

Shorebirds

Large-billed Tern

Phaetusa simplex

Large-billed Tern (Phaetusa simplex) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of South America.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 20 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Argentina Birds of Brazil Birds of Colombia Birds of Ecuador Birds of Peru Birds of the United States Birds of Florida Birds of Illinois Birds of New Jersey Birds of Ohio

By family

Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Argentina Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Brazil Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Colombia Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Ecuador Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Peru Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of the United States Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Florida Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Illinois Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of New Jersey Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Ohio

See what's near you right now

The Large-billed Tern (Phaetusa simplex) is a member of the Laridae family found in South America. Adults weigh 235 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Charadriiformes
Family Laridae Gulls, Terns, Skimmers
Genus Phaetusa
Species simplex

Where it lives

Widespread on rivers and lakes east of Andes to north-central Argentina

South America

Quick facts

Weight: 235 g
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Laridae
Order: Charadriiformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Large-billed Tern hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Behaviour

A bird of rivers and riverside habitats, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.

Migration

The Large-billed Tern is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

The Large-billed Tern (Phaetusa simplex) is a species of bird in the Laridae family, part of the order Charadriiformes. It occurs naturally across South America. Its distribution covers SA widespread on rivers and lakes e of Andes to nc Argentina.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 235 g, with a wing length of about 29.2 cm and a tail of around 10.7 cm.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 13.3 million km² — a very large global range.

Songs & calls

Large-billed Tern — Call

Recorded by Marcos E. Sosa Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Large-billed Tern?

The Large-billed Tern is a large bird that weighs around 235 g.

Where does the Large-billed Tern live?

The Large-billed Tern is found across South America with a range covering SA widespread on rivers and lakes e of Andes to nc Argentina, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Large-billed Tern belong to?

The Large-billed Tern (Phaetusa simplex) belongs to the Laridae family, in the order Charadriiformes.

What does the Large-billed Tern eat?

The Large-billed Tern hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the Large-billed Tern migrate?

The Large-billed Tern is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

Is the Large-billed Tern endangered?

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

What sound does the Large-billed Tern make?

1 real field recording of the Large-billed Tern — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.

How large is the Large-billed Tern's range?

The Large-billed Tern has a mapped global range of about 13.3 million km².