June Bird of the Month: Inca Tern (Larosterna inca)
June’s bird of the month at WWT Martin Mere is the stylish Inca tern (Larosterna inca).
What is the Inca tern?
The Inca tern is a medium-sized seabird famous for its dark grey body, bright red beak, and stylish mustache. They are around 39-42 cm with a weight of around 180-210 grams.
Where are Inca terns found in the wild?
In the wild, Inca terns can be found along the Pacific coasts of Chile, Ecuador and Perú. They prefer rocky cliffs with plenty of food supply and nutrient-rich waters.
Why do Inca terns have a mustache?
One of the most asked questions is why do Inca terns have a mustache? Their ‘mustache’ is actually long white feathers. Scientists believe that the length of the mustache signifies health. The longer the feathers are, the healthier the bird appears to potential mates. This is due to the large amount of energy it takes for the birds to grow the white feathers.
How do Inca terns communicate?
Inca terns have specialised calls and physical signals. They live in large noisy colonies, so they need to stand out to attract mates and defend their territories. Some of their calls have been compared to a cat like ‘mew’ sound, and they also make loud chatter noises as a group.
Are Inca terns under threat in the wild?
The Inca tern is identified as Near Threatened on the IUCN red list due to reasons like overfishing of fish like anchovies (their favourite food) and habitat loss.
Where can I see Inca terns in Lancashire?
WWT Martin Mere in Burscough is home to Inca tern, as part of our Weird or Wonderful aviary. Each day of the spring and summer, the wetland centre hosts a 3pm talk and feed so you can find out more about this wonderful species.
Inspired to visit?
WWT members enjoy unlimited visits all year round. Or, non-members can save 10% when they book online in advance.
