Sooty Tern

onychoprion fuscatus

The Sooty Tern (Onychoprion fuscatus) is an extraordinary pelagic seabird celebrated for its incredible lifestyle of near-continuous flight. Spending up to ten years at sea without ever touching land or swimming on the ocean surface, this highly aerial bird is a true master of the skies. It only returns to dry land to breed, forming gargantuan colonies on isolated tropical islands that are filled with deafening, constant chatter. Because their feathers lack the waterproof oils found in other seabirds, Sooty Terns must live a life aloft, sleeping on the wing and catching food mid-air. They play an important role in oceanic ecosystems, acting as indicator species for the health of pelagic fish populations.

Habitat: Typically found over warm, pelagic waters of tropical and subtropical oceans, nesting exclusively on remote sandy beaches, coral cays, and oceanic islands.

Appearance

This medium-sized, elegant seabird is easily recognized by its striking contrast of jet-black upperparts and pure white underparts. It features a distinctive deeply forked tail, long narrow wings, and a prominent white patch on its forehead that contrasts sharply with its black cap and bill. Its legs and webbed feet are also entirely black. In flight, the Sooty Tern exhibits a graceful, buoyant motion, making its crisp black-and-white patterns highly visible against the blue ocean backdrop.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCharadriiformesFamilyLaridaeGenusOnychoprion

Sooty Tern

Interesting facts

Because their feathers are not waterproof, Sooty Terns will waterlog and drown if they rest on the sea for too long.

Juvenile Sooty Terns leave their breeding islands and spend up to five continuous years wandering the open ocean before returning to land.

Sailors historically nicknamed them 'Wideawake Terns' due to the relentless, 24-hour screeching of their nesting colonies.

Special abilities

Capable of remaining airborne for several years at a time, landing only when it is time to breed.

Utilizes unihemispheric sleep to rest one half of its brain at a time while maintaining flight.

Adept at catching small fish and squid directly from the ocean surface without submerging its non-waterproof feathers.

Measurements & details

Length: 36+ cm
Wingspan: 82+ cm
Weight: 0.15+ kg
Lifespan: 15+ years
Top Speed: 55 km/h
Clutch Size: 1+
Incubation: 28+ days
Migration Distance: 40000 km

Diet & Feeding

Feeds primarily on small schooling fish and squid that are forced to the ocean surface by large predatory marine life.

Age differences: Chicks are fed regurgitated, partially digested fish and squid brought back by parents.

Primary Foods

Flying fish
Squid
Goatfish
Lanternfish

Foraging Method

Pursuit

Ecological connections

mutualism

Yellowfin Tuna

Thunnus albacares

Yellowfin Tuna drive baitfish to the surface, creating an easy feeding opportunity for the terns.

hunts

Tropical Flyingfish

Exocoetus volitans

Preys on juvenile flying fish leaping from the water surface.

eaten by

Great Frigatebird

Fregata minor

Steals freshly caught fish from adult terns and preys on vulnerable chicks in the breeding colonies.

Traits

No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

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Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Sooty Tern?

36+ cm

What is Sooty Tern's wingspan?

82+ cm

How much does Sooty Tern weigh?

0.15+ kg

How long does Sooty Tern live?

15+ years

How fast can Sooty Tern move?

55 km/h

What does Sooty Tern eat?

Feeds primarily on small schooling fish and squid that are forced to the ocean surface by large predatory marine life.

Where is Sooty Tern usually found?

Typically found over warm, pelagic waters of tropical and subtropical oceans, nesting exclusively on remote sandy beaches, coral cays, and oceanic islands.

How does Sooty Tern hunt?

Pursuit