Inca Tern
Larosterna inca
The Inca Tern (Larosterna inca) is a uncommon skimmers, noddies, terns, and gull found in 9 countries, weighing about 219 g. The Inca tern is a near-threatened species of tern in the subfamily Sterninae of the family Laridae.
About the Inca Tern
The Inca tern is a near-threatened species of tern in the subfamily Sterninae of the family Laridae. It is found along the Pacific coasts of Chile, Ecuador and Perú, and has appeared as a vagrant in Central America and Hawaii.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The Inca tern is roughly 39 to 42 cm (15 to 17 in) long and weighs between 180 to 210 g (6.3 to 7.4 oz). Its plumage is uniquely colored among terns; adults have a mostly dark, slate-gray body, with paler underwing coverts, and a slightly paler throat. A white stripe extends back from the base of the bill and fans out like a Salvador Dalíesque mustache as long, satiny feathers along the side of the neck. The trailing edge of the wing (the tips of the secondaries and the three inner primaries) are white. The tail is black, and moderately forked. Voice: The Inca tern is most vocal at its nesting colonies. Its calls include "raucous cackling notes" and "mewing"; the latter call has been likened to that of a kitten.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States, Germany, Costa Rica, France.
When to see it
The Inca Tern can be seen all year round, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify an Inca Tern?
- The Inca tern is roughly 39 to 42 cm (15 to 17 in) long and weighs between 180 to 210 g (6.3 to 7.4 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is an Inca Tern?
- The Inca Tern is a medium sized bird weighing about 219 g.
- Where can you see an Inca Tern?
- The Inca Tern occurs in 9 countries, including Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Panama.
- What birds look similar to an Inca Tern?
- The Inca Tern is most easily confused with the Slaty-backed Gull, the Belcher's Gull and the Snowy-crowned Tern.
- Is the Inca Tern endangered?
- The Inca Tern is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Inca Tern for real
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