Forster's Terns, Sterna forsteri,
Terns
The Forster's Tern, Sterna forsteri, is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae.
This bird is named after the naturalist Johann Reinhold Forster.
Range / Distribution
It breeds inland in North America and winters south to the Caribbean and northern South America.
This species is rare but annual in western Europe, and has wintered in Ireland and Great Britain on a number of occasions. No European tern winters so far north.
Breeding / Nesting
This species breeds in colonies in marshes. It nests in a ground scrape and lays three or more eggs. Like all white terns, it is fiercely defensive of its nest and young.
Feeding / Diet
The Forster's Tern feeds by plunge-diving for fish, but will also hawk for insects in its breeding marshes. It usually feeds from saline environments in winter, like most Sterna terns. It usually dives directly, and not from the "stepped-hover" favoured by the Arctic Tern. The offering of fish by the male to the female is part of the courtship display.
Description
This is a small tern, 33-36cm long with a 64-70cm wingspan. It is most similar to the Common Tern. It has pale grey upperparts and white underparts. Its legs are red and its bill is red, tipped with black. In winter, the forehead becomes white and a characteristic black eyemask remains. Juvenile Forster's Terns are similar to the winter adult.
This species is unlikely to be confused with the Common Tern in winter because of the black eyemask, but is much more similar in breeding plumage. Forster's has a grey centre to its white tail, and the upperwings are pure white, without the darker primary wedge of Common.
Calls / Vocalization
The call is a harsh noise like a Black-headed Gull.
References
- BirdLife International (2004). Sterna forsteri. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
- "National Geographic" Field Guide to the Birds of North America ISBN 0-7922-6877-6
- Seabirds by Harrison, ISBN 0709912072
- Terns of Europe and North America by Olsen and Larsson, ISBN 0-7136-4056-1
External Links
- Forster's Tern Species Account - Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Forster's Tern - Sterna forsteri - USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter
- Forster's Tern Information and Photos - South Dakota Birds and Birding
- Field Guide Page on Flickr
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