Seychelles Private Yacht & Lodge Safaris
Seychelles
for wildlife, marine life and tropical island scenery
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Introduction
Fairy terns are widespread residents of the Seychelles, usually breeding in large numbers on smaller rat-free islands. However, they are also known to nest in smaller numbers on all of the larger islands and even in shady trees in central Victoria on Mahé Island.
Fairy terns are beautiful white birds that can be observed on tropical islands across the world and throughout the Seychelles archipelago. They can typically be seen flying around trees in pairs, where they tend to use for breeding. Interestingly, the fairy tern does not build a nest: the female lays a single egg on a branch (either on a knot or fork to support the egg). The female will sit on the egg to prevent it from falling off the branch, which is ordinarily a time period of about 21 days. When the egg hatches and the fluffy little chick emerges, it clings to the branch with its large clawed feet.
There are estimated to be 14,000 pairs residing within the granitics, while there is though to be several thousand more pairs on the outer islands.
Their diet consists mainly of fish, squid and crustaceans. The parents typically feed the chick with small fish.
Identification
Fairy terns are very easy to distinguish, owing to the fact that they are the only all-white bird in the Seychelles. They have completely white plumage and a slightly upturned blue-based balck bill. They can be distinguished from other whitish terns by the lack of black markings on their head, their weak flight patterns and noddy-like feeding habits. Adults are completely white, have relatively short and pointed wings and a fairly short bluntly forked tail. They have considerably large eyes which are thought to allow them to hunt for fish at night and grey-blue legs and feet. Juveniles are quite dissimilar to the adult, with black spot behind their eye, brownish mottling on the nape, greyer upper wings, black shafts to the outer primaries, brown tips to the feathers on the mantle and an all-black bill.
Voice
When perched, fairy terns emit a soft series of repeated "yerp" notes. Their alarm call is distinguished by a bouncing "gung gung gung" sound.
Behaviour
When in flight, fairy terns appear weak and fluttery, with rapid wing beats. Their hunting style involves dipping down to the sea surface and snatching small fish from the surface, in a manner not dissimilar to the lesser noddy.
Breeding
Fairy terns usually nest in loose colonies, with breeding occurring all year round. They do not build nests as such, but instead lay a single egg directly onto the branch of a tree. There is however, a peak laying period, which happens between November and January.
Photographs kindly provided by Doug Howes, Carina Hall & Ralph Pannell
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