Species Profile
Damara Tern
Sternula balaenarum
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernLifespan
10–15 years
Length
22–24 cm
Weight
40–55 g
Wingspan
46–51 cm
Migration
Long-distance Migrant
Also known as: Damara Sea Swallow
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Appearance
The Damara Tern is a small, slender seabird with pale grey upperparts and white underparts. Its distinctive features include a black cap and a slender black bill.
During breeding season, the black cap extends to include the forehead, while in non-breeding season, the forehead becomes white, and the crown becomes mottled grey and black. The legs range from yellowish to dusky in colour.
Juveniles have buff-coloured crowns with a dark band through the eye and across the nape, along with grey flight feathers and brown wing coverts marked with dark edges. Both sexes look similar, with no significant differences in plumage or size between males and females.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Grey
- Secondary
- Black
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Yellow
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Damara Terns are found along the southwestern coast of Africa, from Angola to South Africa. They inhabit coastal areas, preferring sandy beaches, estuaries, and lagoons with nearby shallow waters for foraging.
During the non-breeding season, these terns migrate northward along the West African coast, reaching as far as Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. They are rarely seen inland, maintaining a strong association with marine environments year-round.
Distribution
Diet
Damara Terns primarily feed on small fish, particularly sardines and anchovies. They also consume small crustaceans and occasionally insects.
These agile birds catch their prey by plunge-diving from heights of up to 10 meters, entering the water with precision to snatch fish near the surface.
Behaviour
Damara Terns are typically solitary or found in small groups when foraging. They hunt by plunge-diving into shallow waters, often hovering briefly before diving.
During the breeding season, they become more social, forming loose colonies and engaging in aerial displays to attract mates.
Calls & Sounds
Damara Terns have a distinctive, high-pitched call often described as a sharp 'kik-kik' or 'krrrit'.
During the breeding season, their vocalisations become more varied and frequent, including softer purring sounds used in courtship. Their alarm call is a rapid series of harsh, grating notes.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding occurs from October to March, coinciding with the southern hemisphere summer. Damara Terns form monogamous pairs and engage in elaborate courtship displays, including aerial acrobatics and fish-offering rituals.
Nests are simple scrapes in the sand, often located in sparsely vegetated areas near the high tide line. The female typically lays a single egg, which is well-camouflaged with its speckled appearance.
Both parents share incubation duties for about 22 days. Chicks are precocial and can leave the nest within days of hatching, but remain dependent on their parents for food for several weeks.
Conservation
The Damara Tern is classified as Least Concern, although it has a small population and limited breeding range. Major threats include coastal development, human disturbance at nesting sites, and predation by introduced species.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting breeding habitats and raising awareness among coastal communities.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Damara Terns along sandy beaches and coastal lagoons
- Observe their distinctive plunge-diving behaviour for fish
- Listen for their sharp, high-pitched 'kik-kik' calls
- Visit known breeding sites during the southern hemisphere summer (October to March)
Did You Know?
- Damara Terns have one of the most restricted breeding ranges of any tern species.
- They can dive from heights of up to 10 meters to catch fish.
- Despite their small size, they undertake long-distance migrations of over 4,000 kilometres annually.
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