Sternula balaenarum Strickland, 1853

Species Identification

Damara tern (scientific name: Sternula balaenarum Strickland, 1853) is a small, rather pale tern that reaches 23 centimetres (9.1 inches) in length.

Breeding Plumage

When in breeding plumage, adult Damara terns have a black cap that extends from the forehead to the nape, and a very pale grey back.

Flight Appearance

In flight, the species shows a black triangular wing tip that runs from the carpal joint to the tip of the wing.

Non-breeding Plumage

In non-breeding plumage, adult birds have white colouring on the forehead and crown, with a black mask around the eyes that extends to the nape.

Immature Plumage

Immature Damara terns have buff bars across the mantle.

Breeding Range

This species breeds in western coastal Southern Africa, ranging from the Eastern Cape through the Western Cape and Northern Cape into Namibia and Angola.

Nesting Population Distribution

98% of its total population of 14,000 individuals nests in Namibia.

Atlantic Coast Migration

Most non-breeding Damara terns migrate north to reach Benin, Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Togo along the Atlantic coast.

Indian Ocean Migration

A small number of non-breeding birds migrate north along the Indian Ocean to spend the non-breeding season in Mozambique.

General Habitat Preference

The Damara tern generally prefers shorelines in arid, desert regions, especially where sheltered bays, estuaries, lagoons, and reefs are present.

Breeding Habitat

It uses gravel plains between dunes and salt pans as breeding areas.