Sterna vittata
The Antarctic Tern, Sterna vittata, is a striking medium-sized seabird, typically measuring 35-39 cm (14-15 inches) in length with a wingspan of 75-80 cm (30-31 inches) and weighing 150-200 grams. In breeding plumage, adults sport a distinctive black cap, bright reddish-orange bill and legs, pale grey upperparts, and pristine white underparts, often with a subtle pinkish flush. Its deeply forked tail and pointed wings are characteristic of terns. Non-breeding adults show a mottled black cap w...
Found exclusively in marine coastal environments, primarily on rocky islets, cliffs, and beaches of sub-Antarctic and Antarctic islands, typically at sea level.
Primarily piscivorous, consuming small fish, krill, and other marine crustaceans. Forages mainly by plunge-diving from the air or surface-seizing prey from the water.
Antarctic Terns are highly social, diurnal birds, often seen roosting in dense colonies on coastal rocks or ice floes. Their primary foraging strategy involves graceful aerial surveys, plunge-diving from heights of several meters to catch prey just below the surface, or surface-seizing during fli...
The Antarctic Tern has a circumpolar distribution across the Southern Ocean, with a complex range encompassing numerous sub-Antarctic and Antarctic regions. Its breeding range extends from the Antarctic Peninsula and surrounding islands (e.g., South Shetland Islands, South Orkney Islands) northwa...
Least Concern
- The Antarctic Tern is one of the world's southernmost breeding bird species, nesting on the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. - Unlike its cousin, the Arctic Tern, it does not undertake an epic pole-to-pole migration, preferring to disperse more locally within the Southern Hemisphe...