Black-naped Tern

Sterna sumatrana

Family: Skimmers, Noddies, Terns, and Gulls · Status: Uncommon resident · Size: 30–35 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Occurs along the coasts of the Indian subcontinent to southern China, Japan, Southeast Asia, Australia and the western Pacific.

Identification

Adult has white head, neck, breast and underparts with a narrow black band from the eyes to hindnape, dark pinkish legs and feet (appearing blackish from distance), all-black bill and whitish-grey mantle and upperwings. Juvenile resembles adult but has blackish subterminal markings on mantle feathers, scapulars and tertials.

Habitat

Sea-coasts and open seas; locally at Changi, Pasir Ris Park, Pulau Ubin and the Straits of Singapore.

Behaviour

Nests in scrapes on the ground or on bare rock.