Lincoln Park Zoo

Common name: Inca tern
Latin Name: Larosterna inca

Class: Birds
Order:    Charadriiformes

Description
The Inca tern has a dark gray body and a red beak and legs. Moustache-like tufts of white feathers on each side of the beak signal maturity in males and females.

Range
Northern Peru to southern Chile

Status
Near threatened

Habitat
Ocean coasts and rocky islands

Niche
The Inca tern feeds primarily on small fish, such as anchovies. The species spots its prey from the air, diving into the water to grab meals with its pointed beak

Life History
The Inca tern nests on rocky cliffs, laying its eggs in natural holes and burrows. Eggs hatch after four weeks of incubation, and chicks leave the nest after seven weeks.

2