- Name
- Damara Tern
- Latin Name
- Sterna balaenarum
- Family
- Rynchopidae
- Length
- 23 cm
- Habitat
- Small groups on Atlantic coast, feeding offshore and in bays and estuaries.
- Bird Call
- Voice a high pitched 'tsit-tit' repeated several times. Also 'tit-tit'.
- Breeding
- Breed on the Namibian coast and near Table Bay, newly discovered, beyond Rocky Point, right up to the Cunene. Nests in dune-slacks and gravel plains up to 1 - 5 kms from the sea. Eggs 1 or 2, tern-like.
- Immature Description
- Immature has brownish markings on wing-coverts.
- Adult Description
- Small size and all-black cap diagnostic of breeding plumage; at other times differs from Little Tern in longer, slightly downturned bill and paler grey back, the body shape dumpier; at long range appears almost white. Non-breeding birds have white forehead and crown.
- Status
- Uncommon resident.
- Distribution
- Confined to the coasts of South West Africa and Cape. Leaves our shores in July.
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