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| − | {{ | + | '''Alternative name: Swift Tern, Greater Crested Tern, Crested Tern, Great Crested-Tern''' |
| − | ;Sterna bergii | + | [[Image:Crested_tern.jpg|thumb|500px|right|Adult breeding plumage, subspecies ''T. b. cristatus''<br />Photo © by {{user|Karim+Madoya|Karim Madoya}}<br /> Lokawi, Sabah, [[Malaysia]], 15 March 2007]] |
| − | [[Image: | + | ;[[:Category:Thalasseus|Thalasseus]] bergii |
| + | ''Sterna bergii'' | ||
| + | ==Identification== | ||
| + | Length 43–53 cm (17-20¾ in) | ||
| + | [[Image:GreatCrestedTernP1180904.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Juvenile, subspecies ''T. b. cristatus''<br />Photo © by {{user|jmorlan|Joseph Morlan}}<br />East Point, Darwin, NT, [[Australia]], 30 July 2014]] | ||
| + | ====Adult==== | ||
| + | *A large tern with a white forehead black cap that crests behind the head | ||
| + | *Bright white underparts, and gray back and wings. | ||
| + | *The bill is long, yellow, and slightly down-curved. | ||
| + | *Wings are long, extending beyond the tail when not in flight. | ||
| + | *Legs black. | ||
| + | *Sexes alike. | ||
| + | ====Non-breeding==== | ||
| + | Reduced black cap; crest reduced. | ||
| + | ====Immature==== | ||
| + | From [[Lesser Crested Tern]] by smudgy marks extending on to the neck in a semi-collar where other marks like bill shape are ambiguous | ||
| + | ====Juvenile==== | ||
| + | Barred with dark blackish brown. Has a dusky yellow-olive bill and smudgy head. | ||
| + | ====Similar Species==== | ||
| + | [[Caspian Tern]] is much larger with bright red bill. [[Lesser Crested Tern]] is smaller, paler above and has an orange, not yellow bill. [[Royal Tern]] is much paler above and has a rich orange bill. In breeding plumage, Great Crested Tern has a white forehead, while [[Royal Tern]] has the forehead black connecting to the black cap. | ||
| + | [[Image:S64A0854-2.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Nominate subspecies<br />Photo © by {{user|max1|max1}}<br />Boulders Beach, Cape Town, [[South Africa]], 25 November 2016]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Distribution== | ||
| + | Coasts of [[Africa]], southern [[Asia]] and [[Australasia]]:<br /> | ||
| + | '''Northern Africa''': occurs only in [[Egypt]]<br /> | ||
| + | '''Eastern Africa''': [[Sudan]], [[Eritrea]], [[Djibouti]], [[Somalia]], [[Kenya]], [[Tanzania]], [[Zanzibar]], [[Mozambique]], [[Namibia]]<br /> | ||
| + | '''South Africa''': [[KwaZulu-Natal]]<br /> | ||
| + | '''African Islands''': [[Madagascar]], [[Comoros]], [[Seychelles]]<br /> | ||
| + | '''Middle East''': [[Israel]], [[Arabian Peninsula]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Yemen]], [[Socotra]], [[Oman]], [[United Arab Emirates]], [[Qatar]], [[Bahrain]], [[Kuwait]], [[Iraq]], [[Iran]]<br /> | ||
| + | '''Asia''': [[China]], [[Pakistan]], [[India]], [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]], [[Maldives]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Bangladesh]], [[Japan]], [[Taiwan]]<br /> | ||
| + | '''Southeast Asia''': [[Indochina]], [[Myanmar]], [[Laos]], [[Vietnam]], [[Cambodia]], [[Thailand]], [[Malaysia]], [[Borneo]], [[Malay Peninsula]], [[Brunei]], [[Singapore]], [[Philippines]], [[Indonesia]], [[Greater Sundas]], [[Sumatra]], [[Java]], [[Sulawesi]], [[Lesser Sundas]], [[Bali]], [[West Timor]], [[East Timor]]<br /> | ||
| + | '''Australasia''': [[New Guinea]], [[Papua New Guinea]], [[Australia]]: [[New South Wales]], [[Northern Territory]], [[Queensland]], [[South Australia]], [[Tasmania]], [[Victoria]], [[Western Australia]], [[Polynesia]], [[Melanesia]], [[Samoa]], [[Micronesia]], [[Fiji]], [[Solomon Islands]], [[Vanuatu]], [[Tonga]], [[New Caledonia]], [[Micronesia]] | ||
| + | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| + | [[Image:Crested Tern3.JPG|thumb|350px|right|Photo © by {{user|Ken+Doy|Ken Doy}}<br />Wellington Point, [[Queensland]], [[Australia]], 14 February 2014]] | ||
| + | Like its relatives, this species was formerly placed in the genus [[:Category:Sterna|Sterna]]. | ||
| + | ====Subspecies==== | ||
| + | This is a [[Dictionary_P-S#P|polytypic]] species with four subspecies currently recognized:<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup> | ||
| + | *''T. b. bergii'' | ||
| + | :*[[Namibia]] and [[South Africa]]; disperses to [[Mozambique]] - Dark grey above, slightly larger than ''thalassina'', least white on head. | ||
| + | *''T. b. thalassinus'' | ||
| + | :*Breeds [[Tanzania]], [[Seychelles]], Aldabra and [[Rodrigues Island]], and northern [[Madagascar]]; disperses north to [[Somalia]], and south to southern [[Madagascar]] - Small and pale. | ||
| + | *''T. b. velox'' | ||
| + | :*Red Sea and north-western [[Somalia]] to [[Maldives]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Sri Lanka]] - Largest, heaviest, darkest and longest-billed subspecies. | ||
| + | *''T. b. cristatus'' | ||
| + | :*Ryukyu Islands and southeastern [[China]] to the [[Philippines]], the Sunda Islands, Wallacea, [[New Guinea]], [[Australia]], and the tropical Pacific Ocean (to southeastern [[Polynesia]]) - Like ''bergii'', with tail, rump and back concolorous. | ||
| + | [[Image:Great Crested Tern2.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo © by {{user|Dave+2x|Dave Irving}}<br />Keelung, [[Taiwan]], August 2013]] | ||
| + | Races ''T. b. enigma'' of Islands off [[Mozambique]], Zambezi River delta and [[Madagascar]] and ''T. b. gwendolenae'' of Western and north-western [[Australia]] no longer considered valid. Synonymized with nominate ''bergii'' and ''cristatus'' respectively. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Habitat== | ||
| + | Tropical and subtropical coasts and oceanic islands. Restricted to continental shelf, venturing to about 3 km inland. More marine than Royal Tern. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Behaviour== | ||
| + | ====Action==== | ||
| + | Forages by plunging from several meters above the surface to take fish. Noisy, often in flocks. A common species in its range. | ||
| + | [[Image:Crested Tern Juv 3.JPG|thumb|350px|right|Photo © by {{user|Ken+Doy|Ken Doy}}<br />Wellington Point, Brisbane, [[Queensland]], 2 Sept 2016]] | ||
| + | ====Diet==== | ||
| + | Feeds mainly on fish (10–15 cm long); also opportunistically on squid, crabs, insects, termites, baby turtles and other aquatic prey. | ||
| + | ====Breeding==== | ||
| + | Monogamous but highly colonial. Nest is a depression in sand, usually unlined. Clutch size usually single egg, highly variable in color. Nesting season varies with latitude and location. | ||
| + | ====Vocalisation==== | ||
| + | Highly vocal, especially at nesting colonies. The territorial advertising call is a loud, raucous ''kirrak'' or ''kirrik''. Juvenile gives thin, vibrating whistle. | ||
| + | ====Movements==== | ||
| + | Movement patterns mostly unknown. Many populations are more or less resident around breeding colonies. | ||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | #{{Ref-Clements6thAug19}}#{{Ref-GillDonsker19V9.2}}#Avibase | ||
| + | #Gochfeld, M., Burger, J., Kirwan, G.M., Christie, D.A. & Garcia, E.F.J. (2019). Greater Crested Tern (''Thalasseus bergii''). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/54019 on 7 December 2019). | ||
| + | #Higgins, P. J.; Davies, S. J. J. F., eds. (1996). Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds: Volume 3: Snipe to Pigeons. Melbourne: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-553070-5. | ||
| + | #{{Ref-SinclairHockyArlott05}} | ||
| + | #Wikipedia contributors. (2018, June 17). Greater crested tern. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 18:13, July 9, 2018, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Greater_crested_tern&oldid=846261713 | ||
| + | #Dutson, G. (2011) Birds of Melanesia, Christopher Helm, London. | ||
| + | {{ref}} | ||
| + | |||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
| − | + | {{GSearch|"Thalasseus bergii" {{!}} "Sterna bergii" {{!}} "Swift Tern" {{!}} "Greater Crested Tern" {{!}} "Crested Tern" {{!}} "Great Crested-Tern" -Royal -"West African" -Lesser -Chinese}} | |
| − | + | {{GS-checked}}1 | |
| − | [[Category:Birds]] | + | <br /> |
| + | <br /> | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Thalasseus]] | ||
Latest revision as of 22:11, 10 September 2023
Alternative name: Swift Tern, Greater Crested Tern, Crested Tern, Great Crested-Tern
Photo © by Karim Madoya
Lokawi, Sabah, Malaysia, 15 March 2007
- Thalasseus bergii
Sterna bergii
Identification
Length 43–53 cm (17-20¾ in)
Photo © by Joseph Morlan
East Point, Darwin, NT, Australia, 30 July 2014
Adult
- A large tern with a white forehead black cap that crests behind the head
- Bright white underparts, and gray back and wings.
- The bill is long, yellow, and slightly down-curved.
- Wings are long, extending beyond the tail when not in flight.
- Legs black.
- Sexes alike.
Non-breeding
Reduced black cap; crest reduced.
Immature
From Lesser Crested Tern by smudgy marks extending on to the neck in a semi-collar where other marks like bill shape are ambiguous
Juvenile
Barred with dark blackish brown. Has a dusky yellow-olive bill and smudgy head.
Similar Species
Caspian Tern is much larger with bright red bill. Lesser Crested Tern is smaller, paler above and has an orange, not yellow bill. Royal Tern is much paler above and has a rich orange bill. In breeding plumage, Great Crested Tern has a white forehead, while Royal Tern has the forehead black connecting to the black cap.
Distribution
Coasts of Africa, southern Asia and Australasia:
Northern Africa: occurs only in Egypt
Eastern Africa: Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Mozambique, Namibia
South Africa: KwaZulu-Natal
African Islands: Madagascar, Comoros, Seychelles
Middle East: Israel, Arabian Peninsula, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Socotra, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran
Asia: China, Pakistan, India, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Japan, Taiwan
Southeast Asia: Indochina, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo, Malay Peninsula, Brunei, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Greater Sundas, Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, Lesser Sundas, Bali, West Timor, East Timor
Australasia: New Guinea, Papua New Guinea, Australia: New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia, Polynesia, Melanesia, Samoa, Micronesia, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tonga, New Caledonia, Micronesia
Taxonomy
Like its relatives, this species was formerly placed in the genus Sterna.
Subspecies
This is a polytypic species with four subspecies currently recognized:[1]
- T. b. bergii
- Namibia and South Africa; disperses to Mozambique - Dark grey above, slightly larger than thalassina, least white on head.
- T. b. thalassinus
- Breeds Tanzania, Seychelles, Aldabra and Rodrigues Island, and northern Madagascar; disperses north to Somalia, and south to southern Madagascar - Small and pale.
- T. b. velox
- T. b. cristatus
- Ryukyu Islands and southeastern China to the Philippines, the Sunda Islands, Wallacea, New Guinea, Australia, and the tropical Pacific Ocean (to southeastern Polynesia) - Like bergii, with tail, rump and back concolorous.
Races T. b. enigma of Islands off Mozambique, Zambezi River delta and Madagascar and T. b. gwendolenae of Western and north-western Australia no longer considered valid. Synonymized with nominate bergii and cristatus respectively.
Habitat
Tropical and subtropical coasts and oceanic islands. Restricted to continental shelf, venturing to about 3 km inland. More marine than Royal Tern.
Behaviour
Action
Forages by plunging from several meters above the surface to take fish. Noisy, often in flocks. A common species in its range.
Diet
Feeds mainly on fish (10–15 cm long); also opportunistically on squid, crabs, insects, termites, baby turtles and other aquatic prey.
Breeding
Monogamous but highly colonial. Nest is a depression in sand, usually unlined. Clutch size usually single egg, highly variable in color. Nesting season varies with latitude and location.
Vocalisation
Highly vocal, especially at nesting colonies. The territorial advertising call is a loud, raucous kirrak or kirrik. Juvenile gives thin, vibrating whistle.
Movements
Movement patterns mostly unknown. Many populations are more or less resident around breeding colonies.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2019. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World: v2019. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Gill, F & D Donsker (Eds). 2019. IOC World Bird List (v9.2). doi : 10.14344/IOC.ML.9.2. Available at http://www.worldbirdnames.org/
- Avibase
- Gochfeld, M., Burger, J., Kirwan, G.M., Christie, D.A. & Garcia, E.F.J. (2019). Greater Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergii). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/54019 on 7 December 2019).
- Higgins, P. J.; Davies, S. J. J. F., eds. (1996). Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds: Volume 3: Snipe to Pigeons. Melbourne: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-553070-5.
- Sinclair, I., Hockey, P.A.R., and Arlott, N. (2005). The Larger Illustrated Guide to Birds of Southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town. ISBN 978-1775840992
- Wikipedia contributors. (2018, June 17). Greater crested tern. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 18:13, July 9, 2018, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Greater_crested_tern&oldid=846261713
- Dutson, G. (2011) Birds of Melanesia, Christopher Helm, London.
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Great Crested Tern. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 4 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Great_Crested_Tern
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1
