Caspian Tern is a July rarity in the UK.

Caspian Tern

The Caspian Tern - Hydroprogne caspia –is the world's largest tern. North American birds migrate to southern coasts, the West Indies and northernmost South America. African and Australasian birds are resident or disperse over short distances. European and Asian birds spend the non-breeding season in the Old World tropics.

Description

It is the world's largest tern. Adult birds have black legs, and a long thick red-orange bill with a small black tip. They have a white head with a black cap and white neck, belly and tail. The upper wings and back are pale grey. The underwings are pale with dark primary feathers. In flight, the tail is less forked than other terns and wing tips black on the underside. In winter, the black cap is still present, unlike many other terns, but with some white streaking on the forehead.

Call

Call a raspy "kowk." Juvenile begging call a high pitched whistling; heard frequently during migration and in winter.

Food

They feed mainly on fish, which they dive for. They also occasionally eat large insects, the young and eggs of other birds and rodents.

Breeding

Breeding is in spring and summer, with one to three pale blue green eggs, with heavy brown spotting, being laid. They nest either together in colonies, or singly in mixed colonies of other tern and gull species. The nest is on the ground among gravel and sand, or sometimes on vegetation. Incubation lasts for between 26 to 28 days. Fledging occurs after 35 to 45 days.

Conservation Status – Least concern

This species has an extremely large range. The population trend appears to be increasing, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion. The species is currently threatened by the loss and deterioration of breeding habitat through accelerated vegetation succession.

Birdwatching

Ask Aves Birding Tours/Safaris/Adventures to create a tour for you or book on one of the following Aves Birding Tour/Safaris/Adventures see these striking birds: -

Aves Arid Birding Tour/Safari/Adventure.

Aves Eastern Cape Birding Tour / Safari /Adventure.

Aves KZN Birding Tour / Safari / Adventure.

Aves Western Cape Birding Tour / Safari / Adventure.

Aves West Coast Birding Tour / Safari / Adventure.