Name
Swift Tern (Greater Crested Tern)
Latin Name
Sterna bergii
Family
Rynchopidae
Length
50 cm
Habitat
Swift Tern Occur in small groups in coastal waters.
Bird Call
Swift Tern make a loud, screaming 'kreee-kreee'.
Breeding
Nest usually on some open, flat area, March - October. A shallow scrape is made, sometimes lined with a little grass. Eggs 1- 2 with a basic off-white colour, light turquoise or pale pinkish marked with brown splotches.
Immature Description
Immature Swift Tern have yellow bill, black-and-white barred upper-parts with buff-edged feathers - quite a mottled plumage. The sexes are alike.
Adult Description
A large Tern, with large, slightly curved, yellow bill. Forehead strip, sides of face, neck and underparts white. Black legs and feet with yellow soles.
Status
Common resident.
Distribution
Swift Tern is common in the south western Cape and found usually in small parties along the coast, or at estuaries. Breed on Schaapen, Marcus, Dyer, Malgas, Meeuw and Robben Islands, but not on each island every year.
