Sooty Tern

Overview

The sooty tern, Onychoprion fuscatus, is a seabird in the family Laridae found across the tropical oceans. It is a highly pelagic species that can remain at sea for years at a time, returning to land only to breed on islands throughout the equatorial zone.

Identification

• Medium-large tern (36–45 cm) with black to dark blackish-brown upperparts and white underparts.
• Features a white forehead and a moderately deeply forked black tail with white outer edges.
• Possesses black legs and bill.
• Emits a loud, piercing call described as 'wide-a-wake' or 'ker-wack-a-wack'.

Habitat

This species inhabits tropical oceans and breeds in colonies on rocky or coral islands within the equatorial zone. It exhibits very marine habits, rarely coming to land except to breed, and may only appear inland following severe storms.

Diet

Sooty terns feed by picking fish from the surface in marine environments, often foraging in large flocks. Due to a lack of oil in their feathers, they cannot float and must stay on the wing while feeding.

Did you know?

The bird is colloquially known as the 'wideawake' because of its onomatopoeic call, which also inspired the Hawaiian name ʻewa ʻewa, meaning 'cacophony'. In the Marquesas Islands, dishes made from its eggs are considered a delicacy.