Bird
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
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preySmall 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
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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