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Sooty Tern | Sterna fuscata
The Sooty Tern is a Southern African bird that belongs to the Laridae bird family group which includes birds such as Typical Shrikes. The description for the Sooty Tern (Latin name Sterna fuscata) can be found in the 7th Edition of the Roberts Birds of Southern Africa. The Sterna fuscata can be quickly identified by its unique Roberts identification number of 332 and the detailed description of this bird is on page 467. You will find a picture of the Sooty Tern on page 417. NOTE: The reference for the information following is "Roberts Birds of Southern Africa", 7th Edition*. This edition contained a number of taxonomic changes as well as changes to English names used traditionally and in earlier editions of most bird books in South Africa. The following paragraph notes such changes if any. There have been no changes in the common name between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition. There have been no changes in the Latin name for the Sooty Tern between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition The Sooty Tern is known in Afrikaans as Roetsterretjie. The Sooty Tern has a height of 42 cms and weighs around 180 gms. The head is coloured black while the bill is coloured black. The Sterna fuscata has a black coloured throat, blue legs and a brown, black coloured back. The eyes are brown. Take note of the main distinguishing features such as colour, size and leg length relative to the body size. Colours of body parts can be helpful. Be aware what may appear brown to one person is described in Roberts using some other word ... for example brown, black. See colours used in Roberts. Head is black Eyes are brown Bill is black Legs are blue Throat is black Back is brown, black Feeding Habits ...This bird forages for food on the ground This bird has a specially adapted bill which helps it hunt for fish, crabs, shrimp and other aquatic animals in the water. Breeding, Habitat and Nesting Habits ...Seen in Flocks, Singles or Pairs Normally ... |
