South American Tern
Sterna hirundinacea
The South American Tern (Sterna hirundinacea) is a uncommon skimmers, noddies, terns, and gull found in 7 countries, weighing about 188 g. The South American tern is a species of tern found in coastal regions of southern South America, including the Falkland Islands, ranging north to Peru and Brazil.
About the South American Tern
The South American tern is a species of tern found in coastal regions of southern South America, including the Falkland Islands, ranging north to Peru and Brazil. It is generally the most common tern in its range. The smaller, highly migratory common tern closely resembles it. The specific epithet refers to the "swallow-like" forked tail feathering.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
With adult South American terns reaching a length of 40 to 44 centimetres (16 to 17 in), they are larger than either common terns (Sterna hirundo) or Arctic terns (Sterna paradisaea). Otherwise they closely resemble these species in plumage at all times of year. The beak is larger and is red in adults, and they do not have a dark-coloured bar on the carpus of the wing. The black cap extends below the eye, usually separated from it by a white crescent, and the rear edge of the cap is neatly defined.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, July, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in November. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a South American Tern?
- With adult South American terns reaching a length of 40 to 44 centimetres (16 to 17 in), they are larger than either common terns (Sterna hirundo) or Arctic terns (Sterna paradisaea). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a South American Tern?
- The South American Tern is a medium sized bird weighing about 188 g.
- Where can you see a South American Tern?
- The South American Tern occurs in 7 countries, including Chile, Argentina, the Falkland Islands, Brazil and Uruguay.
- What birds look similar to a South American Tern?
- The South American Tern is most easily confused with the White-fronted Tern, the Snowy-crowned Tern and the Roseate Tern.
- Is the South American Tern endangered?
- The South American Tern is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the South American Tern for real
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