Bird species profile
Snowy-crowned Tern
Sterna trudeaui
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Family
- Laridae
About the species
The Snowy-crowned Tern is a graceful, medium-sized tern distinguished by its white crown, pale grey upperparts, and black eye-stripe. It breeds in southern South America, including Patagonia, and occurs in both inland and coastal wetlands, including freshwater lagoons, marshes, estuaries, and sheltered marine coasts. Its call is sharp and distinctive, and it is agile in flight, often hovering before diving for prey. The Snowy-crowned Tern is considered uncommon and is sensitive to habitat disturbance, making it a species of interest for conservationists.
Habitat
Uses both inland and coastal wetlands, including freshwater lakes, marshes, lagoons, estuaries, and sheltered marine coasts.
Foraging
Feeds mainly by plunge-diving for small fish and aquatic insects, often foraging in shallow waters.
