Damara Tern (Sternula balaenarum)

Angola (B) (NB), Benin (NB), Cameroon (NB), Congo [The Democratic Republic of the] (NB), Congo [The Democratic Republic of the] (NB), C�te dIvoire (NB), Gabon (NB), Ghana (NB), Namibia (B) (P), Nigeria (NB), South Africa (B), Togo (NB).

Vagrant to Liberia (NB).

Namibia, south to the Cape provinces in South Africa and north to Cabinda in Angola. It disperses north after the breeding season and is recorded regularly from the coastal waters of Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, Gabon, Cameroon, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana and C�te d'Ivoire.

Population
Estimated population is 14,000 (2010) and stable.

Status VU
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

Food
Mainly small fish, including mullet and anchovy, as well as small squid.

Voice
A sharp, high-pitched 'tsit tsit' and a harsh, rapid 'kid-ick'.

Xeno-Canto Sound Files (more (9)...)

Damara Tern (Sternula balaenarum) [XC347048]
by James Lidster from Walvisbay area, Namibia (call)

Damara Tern (Sternula balaenarum) [XC804557]
by Peter Boesman from Cape Agulhas Municipality (near Struis Bay), Overberg District Municipality, Western Cape, South Africa (alarm call, call, flight call)

Nest
A scrape on the ground, sometimes lined with shell chips or small stones.

Eggs (Guide)
Usually 1, rarely 2. Incubation: 18 - 22 days.

Young
Fledge in about 20 days.

Subspecies
Sometimes included in superspecies formed with Little Tern (Sternula albifrons).

No subspecies.

Similar Species
With breeding Little Tern (Sternula albifrons) which has white forehead and mainly yellow bill. In non-breeding plumage, has less white on head, darker mantle and more slight proportions.

References
See References.

Files:

JPG files for Damara Tern (Sternula balaenarum) - 10 files

More Information

BirdLife International

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BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

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