Breeds on coastal and tundra habitats. Spends most of its life at sea over the open ocean. Nests in colonies on beaches and rocky shores.
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Song & Call Comparison
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Song & Call Comparison
Arctic Tern
노래
A sharp, grating 'kree-yah' alarm call. Also gives 'kik-kik-kik' near the nest. Highly aggressive vocally during the Arctic breeding season. Calls are harsh and insistent.
Damara Tern
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Geographic Range & Migration
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Geographic Range & Migration
Arctic Tern
Breeds in the Arctic and sub-Arctic. Migrates to the Antarctic, experiencing two summers per year. Found on every ocean.
Damara Tern
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Conservation Status Comparison
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보전 상태
Least Concern
Arctic Tern
Least Concern
Damara Tern
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Identification Tips — How to Tell Them Apart
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How to Tell Them Apart
Arctic Tern
깃털
Pale grey upperparts, white underparts with a black cap. Blood-red bill and short red legs. Deeply forked tail streamers. Winter adults lose the full black cap.
부리
Slender, pointed, bright red bill
Damara Tern
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About Each Bird (Descriptions)
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Damara Tern, 22–24 cm, is a Vulnerable tern endemic to the Namibian and South African coast. White below, grey above, with a black cap and yellow bill. Breeds sparsely on Namibian beaches; winters north to Gulf of Guinea. Highly sensitive to coastal development and off-road vehicles.
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Related Comparisons
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More Birds in Family
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