Fauna
Bird · GBIF taxon 2481121

Whiskered Tern

Chlidonias hybrida

The 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
Whiskered Tern reference
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 →
Key facts
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
Classification
  1. FamilyLaridae
  2. SpeciesChlidonias hybrida
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. 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.
Related species

Related species have not been added yet.

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