- Sternula balaenarum
Sterna balaenarum
Identification
23cm
- Pale grey back
- All black cap when breeding
- Downcurved bill
- White forehead and crown when not breeding
Distribution
Western Africa: Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, DRC and Angola
Southern Africa: Namibia and South Africa
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
This species was formerly placed in the genus Sterna
Habitat
Shallow seas, shorelines, and coastal saline lagoons.
Behaviour
Breeding
It nests in dunes. The clutch consists of 1-2 eggs.
Vocalisation
A high pitched tsit-tit repeated several times, and tit-tit.
References
- Clements, JF. 2011. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to August 2011. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
- Avibase
- Wikipedia
- Krugerpark.co.za
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Damara Tern. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 28 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Damara_Tern
