| Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia (Pallas, 1770)) |
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Scientific name: Hydroprogne caspia (Pallas, 1770) Common name: Caspian Tern French name: Sterne caspienne Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae Size: Body size: 48 to 57 cm; Weight: 500 to 780 g; Wingspan: 127 to 145 cm. Habitat: Sea coasts, beaches, estuaries, bays, large inland lakes. Food: Primarily fish and aquatic invertebrates caught by diving from a hover or hovering above water. It may occasionally consume the eggs of other species or small mammals or steal food from other birds. Nesting: The nest, isolated or in a colony, is a depression on a sandy or pebble beach. It is lined with marine vegetation. The clutch consists of 2 or 3 eggs. Migration: European and Asian birds move southwards to tropical regions in winter. American birds winter in the Antilles, Central America or the extreme north of South America. Birds of Australia and New Zealand are sedentary or disperse over short distances. Geographic area: All continents except South America and Antarctica. Densities are quite low throughout the distribution area. |
The Caspian Tern is the largest of the tern species and is therefore primarily distinguished by its size. The upper plumage is pale grey, the underparts, rump and tail are white. The top of the head is black from the forehead to the nape and to below the eye. The nape feathers may form a small crest. The bill is strong and red with a black tip. The legs are black. In interbreeding plumage the black of the head is spotted with white. |
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The photo does not contain any markings allowing you to assess the size but that is what is first surprising. It's roughly the size of a large gull. |
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In flight. |
André Bon July 2024
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