White-winged tern facts for kids
Quick facts for kids White-winged tern |
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Chlidonias
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| Species: |
leucopterus
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The white-winged tern is a small bird that belongs to the tern family. It's also sometimes called the white-winged black tern. You can find these birds near fresh water, like lakes and marshes, in many parts of the world. They live in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.
The scientific name for this bird is Chlidonias leucopterus. The first part of its name, Chlidonias, comes from an Ancient Greek word meaning "swallow-like." This is because they fly a bit like swallows!
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What Does a White-Winged Tern Look Like?
Adult white-winged terns look different depending on the season.
Summer Look
In summer, adult birds have short red legs and a small black beak. Their neck and belly are black, and their back is a very dark gray. They have a white area near their tail and a light gray tail. The most special part is their wings, which are mostly white, just like their name says!
Winter Look
When it's not breeding season, most of the black feathers turn white or light gray. Their head is black, but their forehead is white. They might have some dark spots near their eyes. This change helps them blend in during winter.
Young Terns
Young terns and adults changing their feathers have a pale gray area near their tail. They also have a clear white "collar" around their neck. This makes their dark brown back stand out like a "saddle."
Where Do White-Winged Terns Live?
White-winged terns like to live in freshwater marshes. They breed in places from southeast Europe all the way to Central Asia and the Russian Far East.
Nests and Eggs
They usually build their nests on plants floating in the marsh or very close to the water on the ground. Their nests are made from small reed stems and other plants. Female terns lay 2 to 4 eggs in their nest.
Winter Travels
When winter comes, these birds are amazing travelers! They migrate (fly long distances) to warmer places like Africa, southern Asia, and Australia. Sometimes, a few might even fly off course and end up in North America.
How Do White-Winged Terns Behave?
White-winged terns are different from some other terns. They don't dive deep into the water to catch fish. Instead, they fly slowly over the water. They pick up insects from the surface or catch them while flying. Their main food is insects and small fish. When they fly, their wings beat slowly and gently.
The white-winged tern is a protected bird. It's part of an important agreement called the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA). This agreement helps protect birds that migrate across Africa and Eurasia.
Gallery
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A white-winged tern at Kazinga Channel, Uganda
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A white-winged tern egg in the Museum Wiesbaden
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A white-winged tern in Poland
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A white-winged tern in Nepal
