A large, noisy tern...breeding on islands
throughout the equatorial zone.
throughout the equatorial zone.
Sooty Tern
Onychoprion fuscatus
(L 13-14" WS 34-37)
Michaelmas Cay
Great Barrier Reef
25Oct2015
The Sooty Tern remains continually
aloft for 3 to 10 years as a sub-
adult before returning to land to
breed. IT NEVER LANDS during this
time! It eats, drinks, and even
sleeps on the wing.
aloft for 3 to 10 years as a sub-
adult before returning to land to
breed. IT NEVER LANDS during this
time! It eats, drinks, and even
sleeps on the wing.
(http://weirdfacts.com)
© Audubon
Society
Society
© Wikipedia
Onychoprion is Greek for saw-
claw; fuscatus is Latin for dark.
claw; fuscatus is Latin for dark.