Greater Crested (Swift) Tern
Thalasseus bergii
Coastal. A fairly large tern with a yellow bill.
Terns
LC
Not Endemic
Description
Common resident. Intermediate in size between [Caspian Tern] and Sandwich Tern. Bill is yellow, not orange as in Lesser Crested Tern and [West African Crested (Royal) Tern]. Immature has heavily barred back and tail, pale yellow bill and sometimes yellow legs. Occurs in small groups in coastal waters. Roosts on beaches and estuaries.
Quick Facts
Size
50 cm - L
Names
A: Geelbeksterretjie
Ss: Lepheulane La Molomosehla
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
Occurs in small groups in coastal waters.
