Damara Tern
Sternula balaenarum
Coastal shores. White body apart from black cap, pale grey back and wings with short tail; long, slender black bill (similar to Little Tern)
Terns
CR
Near Endemic
Description
Uncommon endemic resident. Small size and all-black cap diagnostic of breeding plumage. At other times differs from [Little Tern] in longer, slightly decurved bill, paler grey back and dumpier body shape. In flight, the leading edge of wings not as dark as in Little Tern; at long range appears almost white. Small groups on southern and west coast, feeding offshore and in bays and estuaries. Frequently hovers and flies with very fast, flicking wing beats.
Quick Facts
Size
21-23 cm - M
Names
A: Damarasterretjie
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
