🐦
Fairy Tern
Sternula nereis
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Vulnerable
Wingspan
35.6 cm
Weight
68.5 g
Family
Laridae
Order
Charadriiformes
About
Fairy Tern, 22–25 cm, breeds in southern Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia on sandy beaches. White and pale grey with an orange-yellow bill; delicate and buoyant in flight. Piscivore; hovers and plunge-dives in shallow coastal and estuarine waters. Vulnerable due to beach disturbance.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 35.6 cm | 14.0 in |
| Weight | 68.5 g | 2.42 oz |
Habitat & Range
Conservation Status
Vulnerable
IUCN Red List
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: SC. Incubation: 20-25 days. Fledging: 22-23 days.
Clutch Size
1-2
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes (Shorebirds & Gulls) |
| Family | Laridae (Gulls & Terns) |
| Genus | Sternula |
| Species | Sternula nereis |
Distribution
Fairy Tern has been recorded in 1 countries.
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Present
Not recorded
countries highlighted
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Fairy Tern endangered?
The Fairy Tern has a conservation status of Vulnerable.
How does the Fairy Tern nest?
Nest type: SC. Incubation: 20-25 days. Fledging: 22-23 days.
How big is the Fairy Tern?
The Fairy Tern has a wingspan of 35.6 cm, weight of 68.5 g.
What order and family does the Fairy Tern belong to?
The Fairy Tern (Sternula nereis) belongs to the order Charadriiformes and the family Laridae.
Similar Birds
Other species in the Laridae family
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Antarctic Tern
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Arctic Herring Gull
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Arctic Tern
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Armenian Gull
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Atlantic White Tern
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Least Concern