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Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis [Latham, 1787]
Other Names
Trends & Distribution
Breeding & Survival
Biometrics
Books & Links
Order:
Charadriiformes
Family:
Sternidae
BTO Codes:
TE , SANTE
EURING No:
6110
Number in Britain:
11 thousand pairs (Summer)
Conservation Status:
UK:
AMBER
European:
2 Concern, most in Europe; Depleted
Global:
Least Concern
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IBC
Status in UK:
(A) Migrant Breeder, Passage Visitor
Subspecies:
sandvicensis (BW), acuflavida (V) recorded in Britain (of 3 subsp. in the world)
.
Length:
38 cm
Wingspan:
100 cm
Weight:
M/F: 250 g
Scientific name from:
Old English: stearn =a tern
and after Sandwich, Kent (UK)
World Distribution:
BREEDS: Europe, s North America & n South America, WINTERS: south to s Africa, India & se South America
Habitat:
Sandy seacoasts, in winter estuaries
Diet:
Mostly fish by plunge-diving
Population and Distribution
Population Trend:
No population trend available
Distribution:
New Atlas )
British Population Size:
Summer:
11 thousand pairs
in 1998-02
First Record:
1671
[Fossil evidence from
Latest Survey:
Mitchell, P.I. et al. (2004) Seabird populations of Britain and Ireland Poyser, London
Habitat Occupancy (in the Breeding Season):
No habitat data from BBS
Average Day of First Arrival:
27 Mar
European Population Size:
Summer:
67 to 100 thousand pairs
Birds in Europe
Listed on the Appendices/Schedules of:
WBD(I), Bern(III), Bonn(II*), AEWA
Survey Results:
Breeding and Survival
Egg Size:
51 x 36 mm
Egg Weight:
35.0 g (of which 6 % is shell)
Number of Nest Records:
37
Clutch Size:
1 - 2 eggs
Incubation:
21 - 29 days
by the:
Male + Female
Fledging:
28 - 30 days
as:
Semi-precocial, downy
First Clutches Laid:
Unavailable
Number of Broods:
1
Number Ringed:
2091
Adult Survival:
No data
Juvenile Survival:
No data
Age at First Breeding:
3
years
Typical Lifespan:
No data
Maximum Recorded Age:
30yr9m
Biometrics
Ring Size:
D2
Wing Length
Adult:
305.8 ± 6.9
Range
295 - 316 mm, N =30
Juvenile:
298.1 ± 6.9
285 - 305 mm, N =24
Male:
Insufficient Data
Female:
Insufficient Data
Weight
Adult:
238.9 ± 14.47
Range
214.0 - 261.0 g , N =32
Juvenile:
226.2 ± 17.65
198.0 - 253.0 g , N =46
Male:
Insufficient Data
Female:
Insufficient Data
Source:
British Trust for Ornithology (2005) Ringing Scheme data
Other Names
Gaelic:
Steàrnag-mhòr
Welsh:
Morwennol Bigddu
Danish:
Splitterne
Dutch:
Grote stern
Finnish:
Riuttatiira
French:
Sterne caugek
German:
Brandseeschwalbe
Hungarian:
Kenti csér
Icelandic:
Þaraþerna
Irish:
Geabhróg Scothdhubh
Italian:
Beccapesci
Norwegian:
Splitterne
Polish:
Rybitwa czubata
Portuguese:
Garajau-comum
Spanish:
Charrán patinegro
Swedish:
Kentsk tärna
For More Information...
Books and Monographs:
Marples, G. & Marples, A. 1934 The sea terns or sea swallows Country Life Books, London
[598.616 MAR]
See Also:
All About Birds (Cornell Lab of Ornithology)
Gough, G.A. et al. (1998) Patuxent Bird Identification Infocenter
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