LaridaeSterna

Black-naped Tern

Stsma sumatrana

35–35 cmLarge
Beak
—
Feet
—
Crest
No crest

Resident. Mainly Maldives, Andamans and Nicobars. lDAdult very pale greyish - white, with black bill a ndlegs, and black mask and nape band. Has whiter mantle and wings than Roseate. with distinct black outer edge to outermost primary, and lacks obvious white trailing edge to upperwing. Nape band is paler and not so well defined in non-breeding plumage. Juvenile has black subterminal marks to upperpart feathers, and black streaking on crown (with less black on crown than juvenile Roseate but is otherwise very similar). Inshore waters around islands and lagoons.

Colour

BlackWhiteGrey
Average size
35 cm
Habitat
Inshore waters around islands and lagoons.
Behaviour
Resident.

About this bird

Resident. Mainly Maldives, Andamans and Nicobars. lDAdult very pale greyish - white, with black bill a ndlegs, and black mask and nape band. Has whiter mantle and wings than Roseate. with distinct black outer edge to outermost primary, and lacks obvious white trailing edge to upperwing. Nape band is paler and not so well defined in non-breeding plumage. Juvenile has black subterminal marks to upperpart feathers, and black streaking on crown (with less black on crown than juvenile Roseate but is otherwise very similar). Inshore waters around islands and lagoons.

Compare size with other birds

Every bird sits between two neighbours — bigger than one, smaller than the other. The sentences below are generated live from the database.

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Black-naped Tern is bigger than Slavonian Grebe but smaller than Grey-headed Lapwing.