White-winged Tern

The White-winged Tern, known scientifically as Chlidonias leucopterus, is a diminutive member of the tern family Laridae. This species is adorned with a distinctive plumage that varies with the seasons. In the summer, adults boast a striking contrast of black and white, with a black neck and belly, and a white rump and tail. Their wings are predominantly white, living up to their name, with a grayish inner wing and brown-tipped coverts. The legs are short and red, and the bill is equally short and black. Come winter, their attire changes to a more subdued white or pale grey, with a black head marked by a white forehead and flecked crown.

Identification Tips

To identify the White-winged Tern, look for the characteristic white wings and rump, which contrast with the dark mantle. The bird's face has a yellowish tinge, and the tail often appears 'square' in juveniles. The bill is notably shorter than the head, and the legs are short and red. In non-breeding plumage, the black is largely replaced by white or pale grey, with a dark triangular patch before the eye and a broad white collar.

Habitat

The White-winged Tern favors freshwater marshes for breeding, where it nests on floating vegetation or very close to the water's edge.

Distribution

This species has a broad range, spanning from southeast Europe to Central Asia and the Russian Far East. It migrates to Africa, southern Asia, and Australia for the winter months and is an occasional vagrant in North America.

Behaviour

The White-winged Tern does not dive for fish like some of its relatives but instead picks food items off the water's surface and catches insects mid-flight. Its wing-beats are leisurely and shallow when in flight.

Breeding

Breeding occurs in freshwater marshes, with nests constructed from small reed stems and other vegetation. The White-winged Tern lays 2-4 eggs per breeding attempt.

Diet and Feeding

The diet consists mainly of insects and small fish, which the terns catch by flying slowly over the water or by surface-picking.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List classifies the White-winged Tern as Least Concern, indicating that the species does not currently face a significant risk of extinction.