Explore the Heart of South Africa: Nature, Culture, Adventure
Swift Tern
Afrikaans name: Geelbeksterretjie
Swift Tern
Photo © Steven Herbert
Sterna bergii
The Swift Tern is a common species along South African shorelines. They are also known as Greater Crested Terns in some areas of the world.
These terns are quite large and have a yellow bill and are black at the back of the head. Mala and female look alike.
Swift Terns are found along the coast and in estuaries. They feed mainly on fish which they catch by diving into the sea or scooping fish out from near the surface of the water.
They breed in most months of the year except for summer. Their nest is a simple scrape in the ground that is lined with dry grass. They nest on islands or near estuaries or pans. Either one or two eggs are laid.
Roberts Birds Names by Edition
| Edition | Roberts nr | Scientific name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 298 | Thalasseus bergii bergii |
| 2nd | 298 | Sterna bergii |
| 3rd | 298 | Sterna bergii |
| 4th | 298 | Sterna bergii |
| 5th | 324 | Sterna bergii |
| 6th | 324 | Sterna bergii |
| 7th | 327 | Thalasseus bergii |
| Edition | Roberts nr | English name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 298 | Swift Tern |
| 2nd | 298 | Swift Tern |
| 3rd | 298 | Swift Tern |
| 4th | 298 | Swift Tern |
| 5th | 324 | Swift Tern |
| 6th | 324 | Swift Tern |
| 7th | 327 | Swift Tern |
| Edition | Roberts nr | Afrikaans name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 298 | Vlugge-seeswawel |
| 2nd | 298 | Geelbek-seeswawel |
| 3rd | 298 | Geelbek-seeswael |
| 4th | 298 | Geelbek-seeswael |
| 5th | 324 | Geelbeksterretjie |
| 6th | 324 | Geelbekseeswael |
| 7th | 327 | Geelbeksterretjie |
References and further reading
Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 35Two Oceans - Author: Branch, Griffiths, Branch and Beckley - Published: 2010 - Page: 352
Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 98
The Coastal Guide of South Africa - Author: Jacana Media - Published: 2007 - Page: 98
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 134
Southern African Wildlife - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 143
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 121
Seabirds - Author: Peter Harrison - Published: 1983 - Page: 383
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 280
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 204
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 212
Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 56
Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 136
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 160
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 206
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 215
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 284
KwaZulu-Natal - A celebration of biodiversity - Author: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife - Published: 2002 - Page: 181
Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 56
Ian Sinclair s Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 142
Everyone s Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 98
Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 108
Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 63
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 35
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 185
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 129
Birds of Africa south of the Sahara - Author: Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan - Published: 2003 - Page: 190
Birds of the Kruger and other National Parks - Volume 4 - Author: National Parks Board - Published: 1974 - Page: 14
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 185
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 136
This website features affiliate links, meaning we’ll earn a small commission if you purchase through these links.
Copyright Steven Herbert Projects, 2013 - 2025. All rights reserved.