Whiskered Tern

Chlidonias hybridus

(C. h. hybridus)

Armenian Name:	Սպիտակաայտ ջրածիծառ

See Plate 33 for Whiskered Tern and other similar species

Resident Status:	Breeding bird
Abundance:	Common
Length:	23-25 cm, Wing Span:74-78 cm
Distribution Map:	Map 163.
Description:	Dark red bill.
Adult (Breeding):	Black cap, white cheek, and dark gray throat, belly, and flanks. Gray rump.
Adult (Non-breeding):	White head with black stripe behind eyes joining on nape.
Juvenile:	Gray back with black and pale yellow feather edges. Black bill.
Similar Species:	Differs from White-winged and Black Terns by combination of longer thicker bill, gray rump, and relatively broad uniform upperwings.
Behavior:	Flies slowly; commonly hovers, then drops to water surface, but rarely plunges.
Habitat:	Fish ponds, lakes.
Food:	Fish, invertebrates.
Nest:	Floating platform in vegetation.
Eggs:	39 mm, 2-3, pale blue, black spots.