Greater Crested Tern: a two-minute wildlife lesson

At the Seaside · day 3 of 7

Five facts

1. To court, one tern loops round the colony calling, a fish in its beak. The pair then land and the fish is handed over.
2. In South Africa, these terns have adapted to breeding on building roofs. In 2000, 7.5% of one subspecies did.
3. The biggest colony on record holds 13,000 to 15,000 pairs, on northern Australia's Gulf of Carpentaria.
4. Many young terns from southern Africa fly east, sometimes over 2,000 km, while others head north up the west coast.
5. Tern parents do not recognise their own eggs or newborn chicks, but can tell their chicks apart by two days old.

The quiz

1. What gift does a courting tern carry around the colony?

• A shell
• A fish (correct)
• A feather
• A twig

A courting tern carries a fish in its beak and gives it to its partner.

2. Where do some South African greater crested terns nest?

• In tall trees
• In caves
• On building roofs (correct)
• On boats

They have adapted to breeding on building roofs.

3. How many pairs are in the largest documented colony?

• 130 to 150
• 1,300 to 1,500
• 130,000 to 150,000
• 13,000 to 15,000 (correct)

The largest documented colony has 13,000 to 15,000 pairs.

4. How far do some young terns travel east?

• More than 2,000 km (correct)
• More than 200 km
• More than 20 km
• More than 20,000 km

Many young terns from southern Africa fly east, sometimes more than 2,000 km.

5. When can tern parents tell their own chicks apart?

• At birth
• By two days old (correct)
• By two weeks old
• By two months old

They cannot recognise eggs or newborn chicks, but can tell their chicks apart by two days old.

Same week

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