The Black-winged Tern (Chlidonias niger), also known as the Black Tern or White-winged Tern, is an elegant and agile bird belonging to the family Laridae. It is widely distributed throughout the world but holds a special attraction for birdwatchers in Nepal due to its striking appearance and interesting behavior.
Physical Features of The Black-winged Tern
The Black-winged Tern is a medium-sized bird with a length of around 25 cm and a wingspan of about 61 cm. It exhibits a dark grey plumage on its head, nape, and breast with contrasting white undersides. Their wings are dark grey to black with sharp white margins. Moreover, their red beak and legs add a dash of color to their overall appearance.
Habitat and Prey of The Black-winged Tern
This fascinating bird can often be found inhabiting wetlands such as marshes, swamps, lagoons, lakeshores, and riversides. They prefer shallow water areas where they hunt for their prey which predominantly consists of fish and insects. The Black-winged Tern captures its prey with its sharp beak while skillfully skimming over the water's surface.
Male and Female Characteristics of The Black-winged Tern
Males and females exhibit subtle variations in their physical features; males tend to have slightly darker plumage than females during the breeding season. Regarding behavior, both males and females are known to work together when it comes to raising their offspring.
Nesting Habits of The Black-winged Tern
The Black-winged Tern builds its nests in floating vegetation or on the ground near water bodies. Both the male and female take turns incubating their eggs, which typically number between two to four. The nesting pair diligently protects the nest from predators. Once the chicks are hatched, they learn to fly and fend for themselves within a month.
Migration of The Black-winged Tern
Black-winged Terns are migratory birds that travel between their breeding grounds in Europe or Asia and their wintering grounds in Africa, Southeast Asia, or Australasia. During migration season, biologists have recorded sightings of this bird species across various regions of Nepal.
Distribution and Spotting of The Black-winged Tern in Nepal
Widely distributed across Nepal’s lowlands, the Black-winged Tern is a spectacular sight for birdwatchers. Popular locations for spotting these birds include Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Chitwan National Park, Bardia National Park, Ghodaghodi Tal area, and numerous other wetland sites across the country.
In conclusion, the Black-winged Tern is a captivating bird that has captured the hearts of many nature lovers visiting Nepal's diverse wetland ecosystems. To increase your chances of spotting this magnificent avian creature during your birdwatching excursion in Nepal, make sure to explore popular birding hotspots and keep an eye out for their unmistakable physical characteristics and fascinating hunting behavior.
