Bird · GBIF taxon 2481121
Whiskered Tern
Chlidonias hybridaThe Whiskered Tern is a marsh tern that patrols low over lakes and wetlands, dipping to seize small aquatic prey. Breeding adults show a black cap, gray body, white cheeks, and dark red bill, while nonbreeding plumage is paler.
Marsh TernWetland ForagerColonial Nester
Licensed reference(c) Lek Khauv, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Small fish
- Aquatic insects
- Tadpoles
Predators
- Gulls
- Raptors
- Mammalian nest predators
ThreatsWetland drainage, fluctuating water levels, pollution, fishing-line entanglement, and colony disturbance
HabitatsShallow freshwater marshes, lakes, rice fields, lagoons, and slow rivers
Life spanOften 8 to 15 years, with variation among wild birds
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyLaridae
- SpeciesChlidonias hybrida
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- View colonies from established access points and avoid flushing birds from floating nests.
Responsible observation
- Plumage: In breeding adults, look for white cheeks below a black cap.
- Foraging: Watch for buoyant low flight and repeated surface dips over marshes.
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