Hydroprogne (Sterna) caspia

While the IUCN considers the global population of the Caspian Tern as being of least concern, with the species being found on all the continents except South America and Antarctica, the South African population is considered to be vulnerable and is estimated at less than 1,000 adults birds with only about 300 breeding pairs in the country. Here they’re found along our entire coastline, preferring river mouths and bays, and at permanent water bodies on the Highveld. Caspian Terns feed almost exclusively on fish, caught by hovering and then diving to snatch the prey from the water. They’re mostly seen alone or in small flocks, often mixing with other kinds of water birds.

Caspian Terns form permanent pairs, breeding during the summer season in nests that are little more than a shallow scrape on the ground lined with a few pieces of dried plant material. The parents work together to incubate clutches of 1-3 eggs over a three week period. While the chicks leave the nest when they are only around a week old, they can’t fly till they’re about a month old and remain with their parents until about 8 months of age. Fully grown Caspian Terns, the largest species in the family, weigh almost 700g and measure around 50cm long.