Charadriiformes Sternidae White-Winged Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus)
[order] Charadriiformes | [family] Sternidae | [latin] Chlidonias leucopterus | [UK] White-Winged Tern | [FR] Guifette leucoptère | [DE] Weißflügel-Seeschwalbe | [ES] GaviotÃn Negro de Alas Blancas | [IT] Mignattino alibianche | [NL] Witvleugelstern
Physical charateristics
Head, body and scapulars black, with contrasting white rump, tail and undertail coverts. Upperwing grey, with white lesser and median coverts. Underwing pale grey, with all coverts contrastingly black.
Bill reddish black, legs bright to dull red.
Very like non-breeding C. hybridus, but dark of crown and ear-coverts usually separated white supercilium, usually shows darker grey band across lesser coverts.
Bill reddish black, legs bright to dull red.
Very like non-breeding C. hybridus, but dark of crown and ear-coverts usually separated white supercilium, usually shows darker grey band across lesser coverts.
| wingspan min.: | 63 | cm | wingspan max.: | 67 | cm |
| size min.: | 21 | cm | size max.: | 23 | cm |
| incubation min.: | 18 | days | incubation max.: | 22 | days |
| fledging min.: | 24 | days | fledging max.: | 25 | days |
| broods: | 1 | eggs min.: | 2 | ||
| eggs max.: | 3 |
Distribution
Chlidonias leucopterus is a widespread summer visitor to eastern Europe, which
accounts for less than a quarter of its global breeding range. Its European breeding
population is relatively large (>74,000 pairs), and increased between 1970-1990.
Although there were declines in Romania and Turkey during 1990-2000, populations
were fluctuating or stable across the rest of its European range, and the species was
probably stable overall.
accounts for less than a quarter of its global breeding range. Its European breeding
population is relatively large (>74,000 pairs), and increased between 1970-1990.
Although there were declines in Romania and Turkey during 1990-2000, populations
were fluctuating or stable across the rest of its European range, and the species was
probably stable overall.
Listen to the sound of White-Winged Tern
Copyright remark: Most sounds derived from xeno-canto
Habitat
Breeds on vegetated inland freshwater lakes, marshes and swamps, from Mediterranean to boreal forest.
In winter occurs in variety of habitats, from inland lakes to rocky coasts, lagoons, rivers and mangrove swamps
In winter occurs in variety of habitats, from inland lakes to rocky coasts, lagoons, rivers and mangrove swamps
Foraging habits
Diet mainly aquatic insects, also terrestrial insects. Occasionally small fish and tadpoles.
Forages in variety of wetland habitats, including wet fields, and also over dry farmland and steppe. Species is accomplished aerial feeder, uses contact-dipping, also hover-dipping, and hawks flying insects.
Forages in variety of wetland habitats, including wet fields, and also over dry farmland and steppe. Species is accomplished aerial feeder, uses contact-dipping, also hover-dipping, and hawks flying insects.
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Breeding habits
Egg laying in April-August, breeds in small colonies up to 100 pairs. Usually monospecific, sometimes with other terns or with Black-necked Grebes of Little Gulls. Nest of water weed with shallow cup, built on mat of floating vegetation in water, occasionally on dry shor or resting on bottom. 2-3 eggs are laid, incubation 18-22 days. Chicks are buffy above, streaked with black, paler below with few dark spots, and pale patch surrounding eye. First breeding at 2 years.
Conservation
This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 1,000,000-10,000,000 km². It has a large global population estimated to be 2,500,000-4,500,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2002). Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern. (source Birdlife.org)
Migration
Migratory. European and West Asian populations leave breeding grounds from late June to late August, wintering mostly in Africa. Large flocks on East side of Sea of Azov in late August, and passing through East Mediterranean in August-September. Negligible movement off Western coasts, but species numerous in Senegal in September. A few occasionally winter on Black Sea. Common migrants through East Africa, mainly inland, occasionally on coast. In spring, large flocks pass through East Mediterranean, and massive numbers recorded at North Red Sea; at Northern Gulf of Aqaba, c. 20,000 in one afternoon in 1984, and total of 81,000 in 5-day period in 1990. Central and East Asian breeders winter from Burma and China, South through Indonesia and Indochina to Australian and New Zealan. wintering birds in Persian Gulf, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and elsewhere in North Indian Ocean may come from these populations.
Distribution map breeding season
