Whiskered Tern
Scientific Name: Chlidonias hybridusMaltese Name: Cirlewwa bil-Mustacci
Family: Terns (Sternidae)
Occurence: Rare
Breeds in Malta: No
Overview:
The Whiskered Tern is the largest of all the Marsh Terns. It is remarkably light, bouyant and elagant with a distinctive flight. It breeds in marshy areas with plenty of shallow, still water and vegitation.The Whiskered Tern feeds on small fish and insects from the water's surface with a slow, swooping flight. The Adult in breeding plumage has a black cap, white throat and grey on the underside.
Status:
Rare. With at least one record each year. Used to be very rare in the old times.
When to See:
No actual pattern, but mostly recorded from late May till September.
Where to See:
Simar Nature Reserve, Ghadira Nature Reserve and Salina Saltpans.
Photographs:
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Adult Whiskered Tern in Summer Plumage, Simar Nature Reserve, 1st June 2007 |
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Juvenile Whiskered Tern, Ghadira Nature Reserve, 21st September 2009 |
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