From Opus

Photo by Karim Madoya
Lokawi Seashore, Kota Kinabalu

Sterna sumatrana

[edit] Identification

30cm. White face and breast, greyish-white back and wings, black nape band, black spot in front of eye, black bill with yellow tip, black legs and feet, brown iris, long forked tail.
Young birds - brown mottling on crown, blackish mottling on nape.
Juvenile - side of head and nape greyish brown, brownish upperparts scalloped buff and grey, whitish rump, rounded unforked tail, yellow bill and feet.

[edit] Distribution

Photo by Kwan M Kwan
Eastern Waters Hong Kong

Pacific and Indian Oceans. It is rarely found inland. Breeds on Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles, Fiji and Samoa.

[edit] Taxonomy

There are 2 subspecies:

• S. s. sumatrana
• S. s. mathewsi

[edit] Habitat

Open seas.

[edit] Behaviour

[edit] Breeding

The nest is typically a simple scrape in the sand or gravel; 1-2 eggs are laid.

[edit] Vocalisation

Voice: sharp tsii-chee-chi-chip or in alarm chit-chit-chitrer.

[edit] External Links