The Forster's tern (Sterna forsteri) is a tern in the family Laridae. The genus name Sterna is derived from Old English "stearn", "tern", and forsteri commemorates the naturalist Johann Reinhold Forster.
Months Present: April-May
Seen on Surveys: April, July, October
"Months Present" obtained from Lahontan Audubon Society at https://www.nevadaaudubon.org/birds-in-town.html
Forster's tern is a medium-sized tern with a slender body, deeply forked long tail and relatively long legs.
In its non-breeding plumage, the crown is white and a black comma-shaped patch covers the eye and the ear-covert. The wings are grey with the primaries being dark silver grey, while the underside is white. The bill is black and the legs are a dull brownish red.
When breeding, an intense black cap extending down the neck appears. The wings and the back are pale grey while the underside is bright white. It has a black-tipped orange bill and bright orange legs.
The juveniles have coloring similar to a non-breeding adult but often have darker primaries.
The common call of the Forster's tern is a descending kerr. The threat call used in defensive attack is a low harsh zaar. A succession of kerrs is used by the female as a begging call during courtship.