Sooty Tern

Onychoprion fuscatus

Type: Seabird | Status: Least Concern | Nativeness: Native

Description

A medium-sized, highly pelagic seabird with contrasting black and white plumage and a distinctive call. On Ascension Island they are commonly referred to as Wideawakes, as the birds will vocalise through the night. They are extremely sociable, forming very large nesting colonies on open ground. These colonies can be tens of thousands of birds strong. Their diet consists predominantly of small fish and squid picked from the surface of ocean. Sooty terns almost always feed in association with sub-surface predators such as tuna and dolphins which drive prey within their reach.

On Ascension Island, these birds are found at both Mars Bay and Waterside Nature Reserves, where they will roost and nest on the bare volcanic rock.

Action Plan

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Locations

This Seabird can be found in the following locations:

Mars Bay Bird Nature Reserve

Mars Bay Nature Reserve is part of a rocky stretch of the south coast called the Wideawake Fairs. This is one of the primary nesting sites for sooty terns. Within the nature reserve you can also find Shelly beach and the anchialine pools containing endemic shrimp and slime species.

North East Point Conservation Point

North East Point gives a stunning view of Boatswainbird Island and is a haven for spotting birds.

Waterside Fairs Bird Nature Reserve

Waterside Fairs is part of a rocky stretch of the south coast called the Wideawake Fairs. It is a primary nesting site for sooty terns.