- Sterna sumatrana
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.
Distribution
Pacific and Indian Oceans. It is rarely found inland. Breeds on Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles, Fiji and Samoa.
Taxonomy
There are 2 subspecies:
- S. s. sumatrana
- S. s. mathewsi
Habitat
Open seas.
Behaviour
Breeding
The nest is typically a simple scrape in the sand or gravel; 1-2 eggs are laid.
Vocalisation
Voice: sharp tsii-chee-chi-chip or in alarm chit-chit-chitrer.
