Birds
South American Tern
Sterna hirundinacea
Plunge-diving into the cold waters off southern South America, a South American tern looks almost identical to the globe-spanning Arctic tern, yet never leaves the Southern Hemisphere at all.
Overview
The South American tern, Sterna hirundinacea, is a Least Concern seabird found along coastlines of southern South America and the Falkland Islands. Closely resembling the Arctic and common terns in appearance, it differs sharply in behaviour, remaining resident within the Southern Hemisphere year-round rather than undertaking a long-distance migration.
A familiar look, a very different life
While its close relatives the Arctic and common terns are famous for crossing between hemispheres each year, the South American tern stays put, breeding and feeding along the same stretch of southern coastline throughout its life.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread across suitable coastal habitat throughout southern South America and the Falkland Islands.
South American Tern: common questions
Why does the South American tern look so similar to the Arctic tern?
The two species are closely related and share a similar body shape, black cap, and pale plumage, though the South American tern stays resident in the Southern Hemisphere year-round rather than undertaking the Arctic tern's immense transequatorial migration.
How does the South American tern catch food?
It is a carnivore that plunge-dives directly into the water from flight to catch small fish near the surface close to shore.
Does the South American tern migrate?
Not in the way its Northern Hemisphere look-alikes do. It remains within the Southern Hemisphere year-round rather than crossing the equator.
Where does the South American tern breed?
It breeds in colonies on coastal cliffs, islands, and beaches along southern South America and the Falkland Islands.