Crested Terns.
Photo: W Longmore © Australian Museum
Crested Terns.
Photo: K and P Rowland © K and P Rowland
Two Crested Terns in the water.
Photo: DA Trounson © Australian Museum
Crested Tern. Image from: John Gould (1804-81) The birds of Australia 1840-48. 7 vols. 600 plates Artists: J. Gould and E. Gould; Lithographer: E. Gould.
Photo: Research Library © Australian Museum
Distribution map of Sterna bergii
Map © Birds Australia Birdata
Crested Tern
Scientific name: Sterna bergii
Family: Laridae
Order: Charadriiformes
What does it look like?
Description
The Crested Tern is the second largest of the terns found in Australia and one of the most commonly seen species. It has a pale yellow bill, scruffy black crest, grey wings and back, and a white neck and underparts. Although it is often observed on its own, the Crested Tern also frequently forms mixed flocks with other species.
Similar species
The largest of the terns is the Caspian Tern, S. caspia. This measures 50 to 55 cm, and has a huge red bill. The Lesser Crested Tern, S. bengalensis, with which the Crested Tern may be confused, is slightly smaller and has a bright orange bill when breeding, and it is absent from Australia's south.
Where does it live?
Distribution
Crested Terns are found throughout Australia and Tasmania. They are also widespread from the south coast of Africa north to Asia and east to Polynesia.
Habitat
Crested Terns form small to large flocks, often with other species, along coastal areas. They are seldom seen on inland waterways, preferring islands, beaches, lakes and inlets.
What does it do?
Feeding
The Crested Tern feeds mainly on small surface fish that are between 5 cm to 8 cm long. Upon sighting a fish from the air, the Crested Tern plunges downwards into the water and grabs it behind the head. Fisher folk often use flocks of feeding terns to locate shoals of fish.
Breeding
Crested Terns form large, noisy colonies on offshore islands, often with other terns or gulls. The eggs, placed in a shallow scrape in the ground, are incubated by both sexes, and both care for the young. The downy young birds group together to form crèches (nurseries).
References
Pringle, J.D. 1987. The Shorebirds of Australia. Angus and Robertson and the National Photographic Index of Australian Wildlife, Sydney.