Damara Tern
Least ConcernSternula balaenarum
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Damara Tern is a small, slender seabird with pale grey upperparts and white underparts. Its distinctive features include a black cap and a slender black bill.
During breeding season, the black cap extends to include the forehead, while in non-breeding season, the forehead becomes white, and the crown becomes mottled grey and black. The legs range from yellowish to dusky in colour.
Juveniles have buff-coloured crowns with a dark band through the eye and across the nape, along with grey flight feathers and brown wing coverts marked with dark edges. Both sexes look similar, with no significant differences in plumage or size between males and females.
Size
Length
22cm to 24cm
Wingspan
46cm to 51cm
Weight
40g to 55g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Grey White
Secondary Colour
Black
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Yellow Orange
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Damara Terns are found along the southwestern coast of Africa, from Angola to South Africa. They inhabit coastal areas, preferring sandy beaches, estuaries, and lagoons with nearby shallow waters for foraging.
During the non-breeding season, these terns migrate northward along the West African coast, reaching as far as Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. They are rarely seen inland, maintaining a strong association with marine environments year-round.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 200 meters
Climate zones
Subtropical, Temperate
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Damara Tern. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Exceptional agility demonstrated through precise plunge-diving from heights up to 10 metres, aerial courtship displays, and the ability to hover and manoeuvre effectively whilst hunting. Their slender build and lightweight frame (40-55g) enables remarkable aerial control.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Whilst capable of long-distance migration, the Damara Tern is a small seabird with modest physical strength. Their ability to catch small fish and crustaceans reflects adequate strength for their size, but they're not built for powerful activities or handling large prey.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Shows good adaptability through successful long-distance migration (4,000+ km annually), ability to breed in various coastal environments, and flexible feeding strategies including plunge-diving and surface feeding. However, their specific habitat requirements and limited breeding range suggest some constraints.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Moderately aggressive during breeding season when defending nests and territories, but generally peaceful and often seen in loose colonies. Their solitary or small group behaviour outside breeding season indicates a relatively low aggression level compared to other seabirds.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Strong endurance evidenced by their impressive long-distance migrations, sustained hunting behaviour requiring repeated diving, and ability to maintain breeding territories. Their successful navigation of extensive migration routes along the African coast demonstrates remarkable stamina.
Diet
Damara Terns primarily feed on small fish, particularly sardines and anchovies. They also consume small crustaceans and occasionally insects.
These agile birds catch their prey by plunge-diving from heights of up to 10 meters, entering the water with precision to snatch fish near the surface.
Behaviour
Damara Terns are typically solitary or found in small groups when foraging. They hunt by plunge-diving into shallow waters, often hovering briefly before diving.
During the breeding season, they become more social, forming loose colonies and engaging in aerial displays to attract mates.
Vocalisation
Damara Terns have a distinctive, high-pitched call often described as a sharp 'kik-kik' or 'krrrit'.
During the breeding season, their vocalisations become more varied and frequent, including softer purring sounds used in courtship. Their alarm call is a rapid series of harsh, grating notes.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding occurs from October to March, coinciding with the southern hemisphere summer. Damara Terns form monogamous pairs and engage in elaborate courtship displays, including aerial acrobatics and fish-offering rituals.
Nests are simple scrapes in the sand, often located in sparsely vegetated areas near the high tide line. The female typically lays a single egg, which is well-camouflaged with its speckled appearance.
Both parents share incubation duties for about 22 days. Chicks are precocial and can leave the nest within days of hatching, but remain dependent on their parents for food for several weeks.
Lifespan
years
The Damara Tern typically lives for 10 to 15 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
The Damara Tern is classified as Least Concern, although it has a small population and limited breeding range. Major threats include coastal development, human disturbance at nesting sites, and predation by introduced species.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting breeding habitats and raising awareness among coastal communities.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Damara Terns along sandy beaches and coastal lagoons
- Observe their distinctive plunge-diving behaviour for fish
- Listen for their sharp, high-pitched 'kik-kik' calls
- Visit known breeding sites during the southern hemisphere summer (October to March)
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Damara Sea Swallow
Family:
LaridaePredators
Main predators include gulls, jackals, and feral cats. Human activities and introduced species also pose significant threats to eggs and chicks.
Did You Know?
- Damara Terns have one of the most restricted breeding ranges of any tern species.
- They can dive from heights of up to 10 meters to catch fish.
- Despite their small size, they undertake long-distance migrations of over 4,000 kilometres annually.
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References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2021. Sternula balaenarum. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T22694699A179473845.
View source - 2 3
report, 2021: Wetlands International