The gull-billed tern, Gelochelidon nilotica, or any of several terns of the genus Chlidonias, whose preferred habitat is marshland rather than sea coasts.
Origin
Early 19th century; earliest use found in Alexander Wilson (1766–1813), ornithologist and poet.
Definition of marsh tern in US English:
marsh tern
noun
The gull-billed tern, Gelochelidon nilotica, or any of several terns of the genus Chlidonias, whose preferred habitat is marshland rather than sea coasts.
Origin
Early 19th century; earliest use found in Alexander Wilson (1766–1813), ornithologist and poet.