The Bridled Tern is a bird of warm tropical and subtropical waters. In North America, they are most commonly seen in warm waters off the coast of the southeastern United States, and small numbers have nested in southern Florida in recent decades. They also can be found throughout the Caribbean, the west coast of Africa, the Middle East, southeast Asia, and the Australia region. They are similar to the Sooty Tern, but Bridled Terns are slightly smaller and not as dark on the wings and back.
Habitat
Found on islands in tropical and sub-tropical waters when breeding, preferring islands with suitable shelter for nest sites, such as rocky areas or shrubs. At other seasons, found in and around warm waters, typically relatively close to shore rather than far out to sea.
Diet
Feeds on fish, as well as crustaceans, small squid, and insects.
Behavior
Most foraging is done while flying low over the water's surface and dipping down to capture prey items at or near the surface.
Nesting
The nest of a Bridled Tern is a depression on the ground without any lining, placed in the shelter of a shrub or rock. The female lays a single egg, and both parents help to incubate it. When the egg hatches, both parents help feed the youngster, by regurgitating fish. The young fledges after about 2 months, but is still typically tended to by the parents for another month after that.
Song
The most common call of a Bridled Tern is a ascending whistling with a mellow tone.
Migration
In North America, small numbers have nested in southern Florida in recent decades, but are only present during the summer months. Most depart for warmer waters in the winter, but there have been some sightings of Bridled Terns in the winter, in warmer waters off the coast.
Interactive eBird Map
Click to access an interactive map of Bridled Tern sightings
Similar Species
Sooty Tern. The Sooty Tern is distinguished by its solid black back and a white forehead patch that stops just before the eye. In contrast, the Bridled Tern has a lighter, more charcoal-grey back and a more extensive white forehead patch that continues past the eye as a distinct eyebrow streak.
Conservation Status
Population trends are relatively stable, they are found over a wide geographic area, and they are relatively common in parts of their range. The IUCN lists the Bridled Tern as a species of "Least Concern" .
Further Information
- eBird - Bridled Tern
- Audubon Field Guide - Bridled Tern
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology - All About Birds: Bridled Tern
Photo Information
Photo taken by Frankie Chu - Photo licensed under Creative Commons Attribution NoDerivs 2.0 Generic License.
