Inca Tern (Larosterna inca)

Family
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, Skimmers)

Size
40 - 42 cm

First Described (Guide)
(Lesson, 1827)

Habitat
Breeds on inshore (and occasionally offshore) islands and rocky coastal cliffs.

Range (Guide)

Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru.

Vagrant to Panama.

Humboldt Current region from northern Peru (Lobos de Tierra I) south to central Chile (southern at least to R Aconcagua).

Population
Estimated population is 150,000 (2010) and decreasing.

Status NT
Habitat destruction through harvesting of guano, reduction of anchoivie stocks due to commercial fishing, and predation by rats and cats are the main threats.

For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

Food
Anchoveta, mote sculpins and silversides found in the cold water of the Humboldt Current. Also scavenges offal and scraps from sea-lions and fishing boats.

Voice
Xeno-Canto Sound Files (more (15)...)

Inca Tern (Larosterna inca) [XC879634]
by Cristian Pinto Fernandez from Borgo\u00f1os - Breasillos (near Conc\u00f3n), Valparaiso, Valpara\u00edso, Chile (song)

Inca Tern (Larosterna inca) [XC62880]
by Dan Lane from Pucusana, Lima, Peru (call)

Nest
In suitable fissures, burrows, caves and cavities. Sometimes the old nest of a Humboldt Penguin (Spheniscus humboldti).

Subspecies
No subspecies.

References
See References.

Files:

JPG files for Inca Tern (Larosterna inca) - 10 files

More Information

BirdLife International

For more information about the Inca Tern see... Show Articles

BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

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