Sooty Tern
Where to Look
- Darwin Island
Similar Galapagos Species
Brown Noddy
Identification
Umistakable. The only tern in the region with black upperparts and white underparts.
Description
Adults have white underparts and blackish upperparts. A white patch on the forehead contrast strongly with the black bill and head. Legs and feet are black. In flight, underwings are clear white with a greyish trailing edge. Sexes alike. Except for their whitish vent, juveniles appear overall sooty black-brown with some white spots on their backs.
Galapagos Distribution
This species breeds on Darwin and is rarely encountered in the main archipelago, but could potentially be recorded from anywhere within the Galapagos Marine reserve.
Global Distribution
Wide spread, occuring throughout the worlds tropical oceans and breeding on most tropical islands.
Status in the Galapagos
Locally common to rare.