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Sooty Tern

Onychoprion fuscatus

Least Concern
Wingspan
56.1 cm
Weight
183.0 g
Family
Laridae
Order
Charadriiformes

About

Sooty Tern is a highly pelagic tern, 33–36 cm, wingspan 82–94 cm, breeding pantropically on oceanic islands. Jet-black above, white below, with a white forehead patch. Among the most aerial of birds; rarely lands on water. Piscivore; snaps fish and squid at the surface during mass prey events.

Physical Description

Measurement Value Imperial
Wingspan 56.1 cm 22.1 in
Weight 183.0 g 6.46 oz

Habitat & Range

Conservation Status

Least Concern
IUCN Red List

Behavior & Breeding

Nesting

Nest type: NO,SC. Incubation: 26-33 days. Fledging: 56-70 days.

Clutch Size

1

Taxonomy

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Charadriiformes (Shorebirds & Gulls)
Family Laridae (Gulls & Terns)
Genus Onychoprion
Species Onychoprion fuscatus

Distribution

Sooty Tern has been recorded in 6 countries.

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Present Not recorded
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countries highlighted

External Databases

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Sooty Tern endangered?
The Sooty Tern has a conservation status of Least Concern.
How does the Sooty Tern nest?
Nest type: NO,SC. Incubation: 26-33 days. Fledging: 56-70 days.
How big is the Sooty Tern?
The Sooty Tern has a wingspan of 56.1 cm, weight of 183.0 g.
What order and family does the Sooty Tern belong to?
The Sooty Tern (Onychoprion fuscatus) belongs to the order Charadriiformes and the family Laridae.

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