Greater Crested Tern
Thalasseus bergii
An adult Greater Crested Tern is a fast coastal seabird of tropical and subtropical shores, nesting on islands and feeding over bays, reefs, and open sea. It hunts mainly small fish and squid by hovering briefly, then plunging bill-first into the water. In breeding colonies it defends space with calls, pecks, wing blows, and dive-bombing passes. The shaggy black crest and long yellow bill are key field marks, especially in breeding plumage.
- Type
- Wing
- Conservation status
- LC
Growth chain
- ?
- ?
- Greater Crested Tern