ID Keys: Breeding plumage: Dark cap, white cheek, dark grey body.
Non-breeding plumage: White underparts, much reduced black on cap.
The
Whiskered Tern is a bird of the Old World. They breed in scattered
locations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia, and winter in much of
Africa, southern and southeast Asia, and the Australian region. The
species was unknown in North America until July of 1993, when a birdwatcher
spotted a Whiskered Tern feeding over a marshy wetland at Cape May, New
Jersey. Birders from across North America flocked to the New Jersey
shore for a chance to add the mega-rarity to their North American life
lists.
Habitat
Found around freshwater marshes and
wetlands during the summer breeding season. Non-breeding birds are
found a variety of aquatic habitats, including saltwater marshes and
coastlines. They will sometimes also feed over terrestrial habitats,
including agricultural fields.
Diet
Feeds on insects, insect larvae, amphibians,
small fish, and small invertebrates such as shrimp.
Behavior
Foraging for insects is most often done
on the wing, dipping and swooping to capture insects in flight. They
will also fly over the water's surface and dip down to grab food items at or
near the water's surface. Gregarious in most seasons, much of their
foraging is done in groups.
Nesting
A colonial nester, the nest of a
Whiskered Tern is platform of vegetation, either resting on the bottom in
very shallow water, or floating on the water's surface. The female
usually lays 2 or 3 eggs. Both parents share incubation duties, and both
help to raise the young.
Song
The most common call is a krrek.
Migration
Populations in more temperate
zones are migratory. European birds largely winter in Africa, while
many birds breeding in Asia winter in southern or southeastern Asia.
Birds breeding in southern Australia typically move to northern Australia
for the winter.
