Forster's Tern is the only tern that regularly winters in North America and is found along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts year-round. In non-breeding plumage it has a distinctive black mask through the eye rather than a full black cap. It nests in freshwater and brackish marshes rather than on sandy beaches.
Best time to see a Forster's Tern
The best time to see a Forster's Tern is March–August, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 27,858 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
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