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Terns are migratory birds that visit Singapore during the northern
winter. The Lesser crested-tern is sometimes seen on Chek Jawa resting
on the northern arm of the sand bar, but not as often as the Great
crested-tern. These two terns are sometimes seen together, but
the Great crested-tern usually outnumbers the Lesser.
The Lesser crested-tern is slightly smaller with a yellowish-orange
bill and paler grey upper parts. When in their breeding plumage, they
have long and spiky feathers on their head. Terns have forked tails,
short legs and webbed feet. Their call has been described as a loud
kirrik.
Tern Food: Terns dive into the
sea to catch small fish. Lesser crested-terns dive energetically and
often becomes completely submerged to get at their prey. They don't
peck at the sand for food like the shorebirds do.
Baby: For photos of nesting Lesser
crested-terns on the Bahrain
Bird Report.
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See
also ...
Birds on Chek Jawa
Other seabirds of Chek Jawa
Great crested-tern (Sterna bergii) which is
more commonly seen
Other references
- Strange, Morten,
2000. A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Malaysia and Singapore.
Periplus, Hong Kong. 398 pp.
- Strange, Morten
& Allan Jeyarajasingam, 1999. A Photographic Guide to the Birds of
Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Sun Tree Publishing Limited,
Singapore. 258 pp.
- Lim, Kim Seng
and Dana Gardner, 1997. An Illustrated Field Guide to the Birds of
Singapore. Sun Tree Publishing Limited, Singapore. 226 pp.
- Hails, Christopher
& Frank Jarvis. 1995 (ed). Birds of Singapore. Times Edition,
Singapore. 168 pp.
- Madoc, G. C.,
1947 (1992 4th ed). An Introduction to Malayan Birds. The Malayan
Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur. 227 pp.
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