See text Gelochelidon is a genus of terns.

It was considered a monotypic genus until the Australian tern was split from the gull-billed tern.

The genus Gelochelidon was introduced in 1830 by the German zoologist Alfred Brehm.

[2] The type species is the gull-billed tern.

[3] The name combines the Ancient Greek gelaō meaning "to laugh" with khelidōn meaning "swallow".