Hydroprogne caspia

(Pallas, 1770)

Vernacular names
English : Caspian tern
French : Sterne caspienne

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Charadriiformes
Family : Laridae
Notes : No subspecies known

Identification
This is the largest tern species, reaching 56 cm in length for a weight of 780 g. Large bright red bill with variable amount of black on tip. Plumage mostly white with dusky primaries. Black forehead, crown and nape. Black legs.

Range and habitat
This species occurs patchily in North America, northern Europe (mostly Baltic sea), Africa, Madagascar, central and south Asia, Australia, New Zealand. Lives in coasts, estuaries, inland lakes and reservoirs, coastal lagoons.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is very numerous and not considered threatened. Some of its populations have declined during XXth century but recovery is observed.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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