Fauna
Bird

Sooty Tern

Onychoprion fuscatus

Also known as Wideawake Tern, Sooty Sea Swallow

Sooty terns are remarkable pelagic seabirds that spend almost their entire lives airborne, remaining aloft for years at a time without touching land or water. Lacking waterproof plumage, they feed exclusively by snatching flying fish and squid directly from the ocean surface while flying. During the breeding season, millions congregate in boisterous, tightly packed colonies on remote tropical islands.

PelagicSeabirdMigratory
Sooty Tern reference1 / 7
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyFlying fish, Squid, Crabs
Predators
  • Frigatebirds
  • Rats
  • Feral cats
ThreatsInvasive predators at nesting sites, marine pollution, severe weather, and overfishing
HabitatsOpen ocean, tropical seas, remote coral cays, and rocky oceanic islands
Life span25–32 years
Classification
  1. FamilyLaridae
  2. SpeciesOnychoprion fuscatus
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
Safe to observe from a respectful distance, especially around sensitive breeding colonies.
What to notice
Recognized by dark black upperparts, stark white underparts, a white forehead patch, and a deeply forked tail.
Support conservation
Never enter restricted island nesting grounds during breeding season to protect fragile eggs and chicks.
Responsible observation
  • Observation distance: Keep a wide berth around island breeding colonies to avoid flushing nesting birds.
  • Auditory cues: Listen for their iconic, incessant call echoing over oceanic islands night and day.
  • Pelagic watching: Scan open tropical ocean waters for low-flying groups hunting above feeding fish schools.
Related species
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