Lesser Crested Terns: A Guide to Their Unique Characteristics

The lesser crested tern (Thalasseus bengalensis) is a medium-sized tern in the family Laridae. It is a widespread species, breeding in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean. The lesser crested tern is a migratory species, wintering in the Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and Persian Gulf.

The lesser crested tern is a piscivorous bird, feeding mainly on small fish. It typically hunts by plunge-diving from the air. The lesser crested tern is a colonial breeder, nesting in large colonies on sandy islands. The female typically lays two eggs, which are incubated by both parents. The chicks hatch after about 28 days and fledge after about 56 days.

The lesser crested tern is an important part of the marine ecosystem. It helps to control populations of small fish and is a food source for other animals, such as dolphins and sharks. The lesser crested tern is also a popular bird with birdwatchers, due to its striking appearance and graceful flight.

lesser crested tern

The lesser crested tern is a medium-sized tern with a distinctive crest on its head. It is a widespread species, found in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean. The lesser crested tern is a migratory species, wintering in the Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and Persian Gulf.

Size: Medium-sized tern
Habitat: Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean
Diet: Small fish
Migration: Migrates to the Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and Persian Gulf for the winter
Nesting: Colonial breeder, nesting on sandy islands
Eggs: Typically lays two eggs
Chicks: Hatch after about 28 days and fledge after about 56 days

Size

The lesser crested tern is a medium-sized tern, meaning it is larger than a small tern but smaller than a large tern. This size range allows the lesser crested tern to access a wider range of food sources and nesting sites than either smaller or larger terns.

Foraging: Medium-sized terns can forage in both shallow and deep waters, and they can eat a variety of fish and other small marine animals.
Nesting: Medium-sized terns can nest on a variety of islands and other coastal habitats. They typically build their nests on the ground, but they may also nest in trees or shrubs.
Migration: Medium-sized terns are able to migrate long distances, and they may travel to different parts of the world during different seasons.
Competition: Medium-sized terns compete with other terns and seabirds for food and nesting sites. However, their medium size gives them an advantage over smaller terns and seabirds.

The medium size of the lesser crested tern is an important factor in its ecology. It allows the lesser crested tern to access a wide range of food sources and nesting sites, and it gives the lesser crested tern an advantage over smaller terns and seabirds.

Habitat

The lesser crested tern is a bird that is found in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean. This habitat is important for the lesser crested tern because it provides the bird with the food and nesting sites it needs to survive.

The Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean are home to a wide variety of fish, which are the main food source for the lesser crested tern. The tern hunts for fish by diving into the water from the air. The tern’s habitat also provides it with a place to nest. The tern typically nests on sandy islands, where it builds a nest on the ground.

The lesser crested tern is an important part of the ecosystem in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean. The tern helps to control populations of fish, and it is a food source for other animals, such as dolphins and sharks. The tern is also a popular bird with birdwatchers, due to its striking appearance and graceful flight.

Diet

The lesser crested tern is a piscivorous bird, meaning that its diet consists primarily of fish. Small fish are an important part of the lesser crested tern’s diet because they provide the tern with the nutrients it needs to survive and reproduce. The tern hunts for fish by diving into the water from the air. It typically eats fish that are between 5 and 10 centimeters long.

The lesser crested tern’s diet is important for a number of reasons. First, fish provide the tern with the protein and other nutrients that it needs to survive. Second, fish are a good source of energy for the tern, which is important for a bird that spends a lot of time flying. Third, fish help to keep the tern’s beak and claws sharp.

The lesser crested tern is an important part of the marine ecosystem. It helps to control populations of small fish. The tern is also a food source for other animals, such as dolphins and sharks. The tern’s diet is an important part of its ecology and helps to ensure the health of the marine ecosystem.

Migration

The lesser crested tern is a migratory bird, meaning that it travels long distances to find food and suitable nesting sites. The tern migrates to the Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and Persian Gulf for the winter. This migration is important for the tern because it allows it to escape the harsh winter weather in its breeding grounds and to find food in warmer waters.

Distance: The lesser crested tern migrates over long distances, sometimes traveling thousands of kilometers to reach its wintering grounds.
Timing: The tern typically migrates in the fall and returns to its breeding grounds in the spring.
Food: The tern finds food in the warmer waters of the Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and Persian Gulf. These waters are home to a variety of fish, which are the tern’s main food source.
Weather: The tern migrates to escape the harsh winter weather in its breeding grounds. The Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and Persian Gulf offer warmer temperatures and more favorable conditions for the tern to survive.

The migration of the lesser crested tern is an important part of its life cycle. It allows the tern to find food and escape the harsh winter weather. The tern’s migration is also an important part of the ecosystem in the Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and Persian Gulf. The tern helps to control populations of fish and is a food source for other animals, such as dolphins and sharks.

Nesting

The lesser crested tern is a colonial breeder, meaning that it nests in large colonies with other terns. This behavior is beneficial for the tern for a number of reasons. First, it provides the tern with protection from predators. When terns nest in colonies, they can mob predators and drive them away. Second, nesting in colonies helps the tern to find mates. When terns are concentrated in one area, it is easier for them to find a mate and reproduce.

The lesser crested tern typically nests on sandy islands. This type of habitat provides the tern with a number of benefits. First, sandy islands are typically free of predators. Second, sandy islands provide the tern with a place to build its nest. The tern typically builds its nest on the ground, and sandy islands provide a soft and stable surface for the nest.

The nesting behavior of the lesser crested tern is an important part of its life cycle. Nesting in colonies helps the tern to protect itself from predators and find mates. Nesting on sandy islands provides the tern with a safe and stable place to build its nest.

Eggs

The lesser crested tern typically lays two eggs. This is a relatively small clutch size for a tern, as most other species lay three or four eggs. However, the lesser crested tern’s small clutch size is likely due to its relatively small body size. The tern needs to be able to carry its eggs while flying, and a larger clutch size would make this more difficult.

Adaptive strategy: Laying a smaller clutch size may be an adaptive strategy for the lesser crested tern. By laying fewer eggs, the tern can reduce the amount of energy it needs to spend on incubation and chick-rearing. This may be an important advantage for a tern that lives in a harsh environment, where food is scarce and predators are common.
Reproductive success: Despite its small clutch size, the lesser crested tern is a relatively successful breeder. This is likely due to the fact that the tern nests in colonies, which provides protection from predators. The tern also has a long lifespan, which gives it more opportunities to reproduce.
Conservation implications: The lesser crested tern’s small clutch size may make it more vulnerable to population declines. If the tern’s population is reduced, it may be difficult for the species to recover, as each pair of terns only produces a small number of offspring.

The lesser crested tern’s small clutch size is an important part of its life history. It is an adaptive strategy that helps the tern to survive and reproduce in a harsh environment. However, the tern’s small clutch size also makes it more vulnerable to population declines.

Chicks

The lesser crested tern’s chicks hatch after about 28 days. This is a relatively short incubation period for a tern, as most other species incubate their eggs for 30-40 days. The short incubation period of the lesser crested tern may be an adaptation to its relatively short lifespan. The tern only lives for about 10 years, so it is important for it to be able to reproduce quickly.

The lesser crested tern’s chicks fledge after about 56 days. This is a relatively long fledging period for a tern, as most other species fledge their chicks after 30-40 days. The long fledging period of the lesser crested tern may be due to the fact that the chicks need to learn how to fish before they can become independent. Fishing is a difficult skill to master, and the chicks need time to practice before they can become proficient.

The lesser crested tern’s chicks are vulnerable to predators during both the incubation and fledging periods. However, the tern’s nesting behavior helps to protect the chicks from predators. The tern nests in colonies, which provides the chicks with protection from predators. The tern also incubates its eggs at night, which helps to keep the chicks warm and protected from predators.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Lesser Crested Tern

Here are some frequently asked questions about the lesser crested tern, along with their answers:

Question 1: What is the lesser crested tern’s scientific name? Answer: The lesser crested tern’s scientific name is Thalasseus bengalensis. Question 2: Where is the lesser crested tern found? Answer: The lesser crested tern is found in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean. Question 3: What is the lesser crested tern’s diet? Answer: The lesser crested tern’s diet consists primarily of fish. Question 4: Where does the lesser crested tern nest? Answer: The lesser crested tern nests on sandy islands. Question 5: How many eggs does the lesser crested tern typically lay? Answer: The lesser crested tern typically lays two eggs. Question 6: How long does it take for lesser crested tern chicks to hatch? Answer: Lesser crested tern chicks hatch after about 28 days.

These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about the lesser crested tern. For more information, please consult a field guide or other authoritative source.

Key takeaways:

The lesser crested tern is a medium-sized tern with a distinctive crest on its head.
The lesser crested tern is found in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean.
The lesser crested tern’s diet consists primarily of fish.
The lesser crested tern nests on sandy islands.
The lesser crested tern typically lays two eggs.
Lesser crested tern chicks hatch after about 28 days.

Transition to the next article section:

Tips for Conserving the Lesser Crested Tern

The lesser crested tern is a beautiful and important bird, but it is facing a number of threats, including habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. We can all do our part to help conserve the lesser crested tern and ensure its survival for future generations.

Tip 1: Protect their habitat. The lesser crested tern nests on sandy islands. We can help to protect their habitat by reducing our impact on these islands. For example, we can avoid driving on the beach, and we can clean up our trash.

Tip 2: Reduce pollution. Pollution can harm the lesser crested tern and its food sources. We can help to reduce pollution by recycling, driving less, and using less energy.

Tip 3: Support sustainable fishing practices. The lesser crested tern eats fish. We can help to support sustainable fishing practices by buying seafood from sustainable sources.

Tip 4: Educate others about the lesser crested tern. Many people are unaware of the lesser crested tern and the threats it faces. We can help to educate others by talking about the tern and sharing information about its conservation.

Tip 5: Support organizations that are working to conserve the lesser crested tern. There are a number of organizations that are working to conserve the lesser crested tern. We can support these organizations by donating money, volunteering our time, or spreading the word about their work.

Summary of key takeaways or benefits:

Protecting the lesser crested tern’s habitat is essential for its survival.
Reducing pollution and supporting sustainable fishing practices can help to protect the lesser crested tern and its food sources.
Educating others about the lesser crested tern can help to raise awareness about the threats it faces.
Supporting organizations that are working to conserve the lesser crested tern can help to ensure its survival for future generations.

Transition to the article’s conclusion:

The lesser crested tern is a beautiful and important bird, but it is facing a number of threats. We can all do our part to help conserve the lesser crested tern and ensure its survival for future generations.

Conclusion

The lesser crested tern is a beautiful and important bird, but it is facing a number of threats. Habitat loss, pollution, and climate change are all taking a toll on the tern’s population.

We can all do our part to help conserve the lesser crested tern. By protecting its habitat, reducing pollution, and supporting sustainable fishing practices, we can help to ensure the survival of this magnificent bird for future generations.