Whiskered Tern
Chlidonias hybrida
Inland waters. Non-breeding bird has pale grey upper tail and black line behind eye to black nape.
LC
Not Endemic
Description
Uncommon resident. In breeding plumage differs from[White-cheeked Tern]in short tail with a shallow fork and white vent; from[Antarctic Tern]in short grey (not white) tail. In non-breeding plumage differs from other marsh terns in less extensive black on head, planer upper wings, pale grey (not white) rump, thicker, heavier bill and less buoyant flight. Call is a characteristic dry ‘kerk’. Occurs (and occasionally breeds) on freshwater pans and lakes.
Quick Facts
Size
23 cm - M
Names
A: Witbaardsterretjie
Z: umachibini
Ss: Lepheulane La Ditedusweu
G: Weißbart-Seeschwalbe
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 (and occasionally breeds) on freshwater pans and lakes.
