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Caspian Terns (Hydroprogne caspia) Largest Populations: World #33221 - Sanctuary A species of tern (a seabird of the family Laridae on Earth) found in smaller populations along Osprey Cove. Their genus name on Earth means 'water-swallow.' They are notable for their fishing abilities and their 'croak,' which sounds similar to a heron's call. Currently, they are considered the physically largest tern species around Sanctuary. Unfortunately, they are well-known for harassing fishermen around the coast and on the Obsidian Sea for their catches. They are not above stealing food, including from other seabirds. (RESEARCHER'S NOTE: They're not the most common in the wilds around Sanctuary, since they're usually outnumbered by Common terns and seagulls. Still, if you find one, it would be a rather neat catch, wouldn't it? Provided they aren't stealing fish, of course. Perhaps preventative measures can be discussed to protect the fishers' hauls? Be sure to message Agent Zhou about it, or even just to discuss the species.) Appearance (Select to Learn More)
A heavy-bodied and thick tern. The bird is covered in white and pale grey feathers, sitting above black legs. Their bill is thick and orange- or red-coloured, featuring black on the very tip. Their tail is noticeably less forked than other terns, which serves as one mean of identification. Having the largest wingspan of all of Sanctuary's terns, their underwings are white with black primary feathers, as well as being black on the undersides. This species alternates between breeding and non-breeding plumages in adults, like many other terns. The breeding plumage is recognizable by their solid black cap, which also acts as a way to identify the species. Sometimes, the plumage on the backs of their heads are raised into a crest. Nonbreeding have a grey crown and a lesser amount of black on their heads. (RESEARCHER'S NOTE: I've managed to snap some pictures around Osprey Cove recently for both personal use and this file. I hope the one provided will be informative and satisfactory. It's a breeding adult in flight.) Juveniles can be spotted with brown markings across their backs, while their fronts remain white like adults. The brown-black colours on their head appear in streaks. Diet (Select to Learn More)
The diet of this species, like many terns, is comprised primarily of seafood; namely fish. They will hunt for fish by hovering over the water between 3 to 30 meters high (10 to 100 feet), where they believe to have spotted their prey, and then diving. Interestingly, they engage in kleptoparasitism, where they will harass other tern species into giving up their catches. (RESEARCHER'S NOTE: This is also known as 'piracy.' Isn't it interesting to see animals do it, too?) When they do not desire or cannot acquire fish, they will also consume large insects, the eggs and hatchlings of other birds, and rarely, rodents. Caspian Tern Abilities (Select to Learn More)
Egg-Laying Breeding is done in the spring and summer, where the birds form nest colonies in the sandy shorelines of lakes and seas. In Osprey Cove, most of the time, they will form single nests in the colonies of other tern species or that of gulls. Nests are usually 17 centimeters (7 inches) across and a little over 2 centimeters (1 inch) deep. They lay 1 to 3 eggs at a time. Incubation lasts for 26 to 28 days. Their eggs are blue-grey and feature brown spots. Chicks can vary in colour, either be light or dark in plumage. It is believed the reason this variation exists is so that adults can identify their own chicks from others in such large colonies. Fledging happens after 35 to 45 days. It should be noted that Caspian terns are extremely defensive of their nests and will dive onto both sentients and sapients who get too close. (RESEARCHER'S NOTE: Just grabbing a few pictures was a very difficult process. . .) Migration Caspian terns migrate primarily at night, where they head up north during the autumn season. Young Caspian terns will follow their parents to wintering grounds. They do not seem to mind which stagnant body of water they are localized upon, favoring both freshwater and saltwater bodies equally. (RESEARCHER'S NOTE: I'm not entirely sure where exactly they go. I don't think those parts of the planet have been explored yet. At the very least, not by current residents.) |
Questions & Answers (Select to Learn More)
None, currently! Have a question about this species? Ask Samiakki for an answer! (IC questions can be directed to Agent Zhou.) |
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