Sterna sumatrana
The Black-naped Tern (*Sterna sumatrana*) is a medium-sized, elegant tern renowned for its distinctive head pattern. Measuring 30-35 cm (12-14 in) long with a wingspan of approximately 70-75 cm (28-30 in) and weighing around 100-150g, it features a striking black line extending from the eye to the distinct black nape, contrasting sharply with its pure white underparts, pale grey upperparts, and deeply forked white tail. A sleek black bill and black legs complete its profile. Belonging to the ...
Found in tropical and subtropical coastal waters, often near coral reefs, rocky islets, sandy beaches, lagoons, and estuaries, primarily at low elevations.
Feeds primarily on small pelagic fish, such as anchovies and sardines, along with marine invertebrates like crustaceans and occasionally squid, captured mainly through plunge-diving.
Black-naped Terns are diurnal, actively foraging during the day and roosting communally on beaches, sandbars, or rocky islets in large aggregations. Their primary foraging strategy involves aerial plunge-diving for small fish, where they hover briefly before executing a shallow dive into the wate...
The Black-naped Tern boasts a widespread distribution across the tropical and subtropical coasts of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Its breeding range extends from the east coast of Africa (including the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, Kenya, Tanzania, and Madagascar) eastward through the Maldives, Sri Lan...
Least Concern
- The "sumatrana" in its scientific name directly refers to Sumatra, Indonesia, where the species was first described. - Unlike many other terns, the Black-naped Tern typically exhibits a pure white, unstreaked tail in its adult plumage. - It is often found nesting in mixed colonies alongside oth...