Inca tern
Latin Name
Larosterna inca
Class
Birds
Order
Charadriiformes
Description
Larosterna inca
Class
Birds
Order
Charadriiformes
Description
The Inca tern has a dark gray body and a red beak and legs. Moustache-like tufts of white feathers on each side of the beak signal maturity in males and females.
Range
Status
Habitat
Niche
Life History
Northern Peru to southern Chile
Status
Near threatened
Habitat
Ocean coasts and rocky islands
Niche
The Inca tern feeds primarily on small fish, such as anchovies. The species spots its prey from the air, diving into the water to grab meals with its pointed beak.
Life History
The Inca tern nests on rocky cliffs, laying its eggs in natural holes and burrows. Eggs hatch after four weeks of incubation, and chicks leave the nest after seven weeks.
ARKive Media
 |  |  |
ARKive is creating the ultimate multimedia guide to the world's endangered species.
Visit ARKive for thousands more films, photos and fact-files!
