White TernGygis albaWhere and when to see them

The white tern is a delicate tropical seabird with entirely white plumage, large dark eyes and a sharply pointed bill. It ranges widely across warm oceans, nesting on islands rather than constructing conventional nests. A single egg may rest directly on a bare branch or other narrow support. Although graceful and conspicuous around some island settlements, its distribution is uneven, and apparently suitable islands may hold few birds or none.

Size

28-33 cm (11-13 in) long; wingspan 66-78 cm (26-31 in)

Weight

90-140 g (3.2-4.9 oz)

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Least Concern

White terns often forage singly or in loose associations, hovering briefly before taking small prey at the sea surface. Pairs perform aerial courtship and may remain associated with the same nesting area over multiple seasons. Both parents incubate the precariously placed egg and feed the chick. Young birds grip their support with strong claws, while adults approach carefully with small fish held crosswise in the bill for delivery. The eggs are surprisingly stable due to their conical shape and rough surface, which prevents them from rolling off narrow perches. Courtship involves elaborate aerial chases and fish-carrying displays between pairs. They are known for their tameness around humans on remote islands, often allowing close observation without fear.

• It lays a single egg without building a conventional nest.
• A chick has well-developed claws that help it cling to its branch.
• Adults can carry multiple fish at once for their chick.
• The species is also widely known as the fairy tern, a name used for other terns elsewhere.

White terns may be present throughout the year on occupied tropical islands, but breeding schedules vary among archipelagos and even individual colonies. Choose comfortable local shore-travel conditions rather than assuming a universal nesting season; recent local information is especially valuable where populations are localized. In some regions like the Seychelles, they can breed year-round, with peaks often coinciding with periods of abundant food availability or specific wind patterns. Due to their prolonged parental care, it's common to see nests with eggs or chicks at various stages for much of the year in stable populations. Check with local guides for recent nesting activity in specific anchorages.

Breeding habitat includes wooded oceanic islands, coastal groves and mature trees within settlements. Bare branches, forks and occasionally artificial ledges serve as egg supports. Feeding takes place over surrounding marine waters, sometimes close enough to beaches or headlands for distant observation. They are often found on atolls and low coral islands, preferring areas with native broadleaf trees like Pisonia or Tournefortia that offer suitable nesting sites. While highly adapted to island life, they avoid continental landmasses for breeding. Their small size helps them navigate dense foliage.

Small fish dominate the diet, supplemented by squid and other suitably sized marine prey. Birds capture food near the surface rather than scavenging routinely on land. An adult can carry several small fish in its bill when returning to feed its chick. They employ a 'dip-fishing' technique, gracefully snatching small fish and invertebrates from just below the water's surface without diving. Schooling fish, such as anchovies and sardines, form a significant part of their diet. This specialized feeding limits their foraging to calm, clear waters.

Common name

White Tern

Scientific name

Gygis alba

Animal group

Birds

Size

28-33 cm (11-13 in) long; wingspan 66-78 cm (26-31 in)

Weight

90-140 g (3.2-4.9 oz)

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Least Concern

Identification

Its entirely white plumage, dark eyes and slender dark bill distinguish it from most noddies, although small white-tern relatives require closer regional identification. The White tern is unique in that it builds no nest; the single egg is laid directly on a branch, a rare adaptation among birds. While the entirely white body and black eye-ring are key, note the short, slightly upturned dark bill. Juvenile birds can sometimes have a faint grayish wash on their back or dusky markings behind the eye, but this fades quickly.