Whiskered Tern

Gulls, Terns, Skimmers 👁 498 views Updated 2026-11-01

Whiskered Tern (<em>Chlidonias hybrida</em>) is a species of Gulls, Terns, Skimmers (<em>Laridae</em>) in the order Shorebirds, Gulls and Alcids.

Overview

Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida) is a species of Gulls, Terns, Skimmers (Laridae) in the order Shorebirds, Gulls and Alcids. A small marsh tern with a black cap and white cheeks in summer; hawks insects over wetlands and picks prey from the water surface; nests on floating vegetation.

Scientific Classification

Genus: Chlidonias; binomial: Chlidonias hybrida; authority: (Pallas, 1811). Typical size: 23-25cm. Average lifespan: 5-10 years.

Distribution

Breeding range: Africa, the Palearctic, the Oriental Region and Australasia. Non-breeding range: inland Africa, Asia and Australia.

Conservation Status

This taxon is listed as Extant (living) in the IOC World Bird List.

Remarks

No additional remarks recorded.

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