ExploreBirds

Inca Tern

Larosterna inca

The Inca Tern is a unique bird with a striking gray body and a funny mustache! They love to live near the ocean and can often be seen flying over the waves.

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The Inca Tern is a distinctive slate-gray seabird with bright red feet and a red beak. Its most unique feature is the curled white 'mustache' plumes that grow from the base of its bill, making it instantly recognizable along the coast.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCharadriiformesFamilyLaridaeGenusLarosterna
Inca Tern
feathered trait badgesocial trait badgeaerial trait badgesinging trait badge
Inca Tern

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

An Inca Tern's squawk sounds like a cat's meow mixed with a seagull's cry!

Inca Tern eggs are often camouflaged to look exactly like the rocky nests they are laid in!

Their bright red feet glow like embers, helping them grip slippery, wave-washed rocks!

These stylish birds often share their noisy nesting cliffs with Humboldt Penguins and other seabirds!

Special abilities

Ability

Dive Master

Inca Tern can plunge into water at high speed because of its streamlined body, helping it catch fish.

Ability

Moustache Magic

Inca Tern has distinctive white facial plumes that help them attract mates with a stylish display.

Ability

Cliff Dweller

Inca Tern can nest on steep coastal cliffs because of strong claws, protecting eggs from predators.

Measurements & details

Length
39-42 cm
Wingspan
76-80 cm
Weight
0.18-0.24 kg
Lifespan
15-20 years
Top Speed
70 km/h
Clutch Size
1-2
Incubation
28-30 days

Diet & Feeding

These birds mostly eat small fish, diving gracefully into the ocean to catch them with ease.

Primary Foods

  • Peruvian Anchovy
  • South American Pilchard
  • hake

Foraging Method

  • Pursuit

Ecological connections

eats

Peruvian Anchovy

Engraulis ringens

primary food source in the Humboldt Current.

eats

South American Pilchard

Sardinops sagax

dives for these small fish in coastal areas.

eaten by

Kelp Gull

Larus dominicanus

preys on eggs and small chicks.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to touch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Inca Tern?

39-42 cm

What is Inca Tern's wingspan?

76-80 cm

How much does Inca Tern weigh?

0.18-0.24 kg

How long does Inca Tern live?

15-20 years

How fast can Inca Tern move?

70 km/h

What does Inca Tern eat?

These birds mostly eat small fish, diving gracefully into the ocean to catch them with ease.

Where is Inca Tern usually found?

Coastal areas

How does Inca Tern hunt?

Pursuit

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.

Where to spot

More Birds