Caspian Tern
Hydroprogne caspia
Inland waters, coastal lagoons and estuaries. Grey upperwings and back; white body; black cap; large red bill.
Terns
VU
Not Endemic
Description
Common resident. Largest tern in southern Africa. Massive red bill and overall size render it unmistakable. In pairs or small flocks at coastal lagoons and large inland waters.
Quick Facts
Size
52 cm - L
Names
A: Reusesterretjie
Z: ubhaklakliyo
Ss: Lepheulane Le Leholoholo
G: Raubseeschwalbe
Bird Family
More slender, more agile than gulls and, in most species, with deeply forked tails. The majority feed at sea, plunge-diving for fish. A few, such as the marsh terns, feed mainly on insects caught in dipping flight or plucked from the surface of inland ponds, lakes and rivers. Calls are mostly similar and rather nondescript, typically ‘kee-vit' or ‘krit'.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
