Whiskered Tern

Afrikaans name: Witbaard-meerswael

Photo © Riaan van den Berg - Fotolia.com

Chlidonias hybrida

The Whiskered Tern travels a long way to visit South Africa in summer. It can be found in wetlands and moist grasslands where it breeds.

They make their nest above the water which helps protect them from predators. Up to 4 eggs are laid.

The Whiskered Tern feeds mainly on fish and other aquatic life that are found near the surface of the water. It does occasionally also eat butterflies and other insects which it catches in flight.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	305	Chlidonias leucopareia delalandii
2nd	305	Chlidonias hybrida
3rd	305	Chlidonias hybrida
4th	305	Chlidonias hybrida
5th	338	Chlidonias hybridus
6th	338	Chlidonias hybridus
7th	339	Chlidonias hybrida

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	305	Whiskered Tern
2nd	305	Whiskered Tern
3rd	305	Whiskered Tern
4th	305	Whiskered Tern
5th	338	Whiskered Tern
6th	338	Whiskered Tern
7th	339	Whiskered Tern

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	305	Witbaard-meerswawel
2nd	305	Witbaard-meerswawel
3rd	305	Witbaard-meerswael
4th	305	Witbaard-meerswael
5th	338	Witbaardsterretjie
6th	338	Witbaardmeerswael
7th	339	Witbaardsterretjie

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 100

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 123

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 218

Seabirds - Author: Peter Harrison - Published: 1983 - Page: 364

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 34

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 210

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 290

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 294

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 217

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 210

Ocean Birds - Author: Lars Lofgren - Published: 1984 - Page: 154

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 140

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 162

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 60

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 60

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 146

Freshwater Life - Author: C. Griffiths, J. Day & M. Picker - Published: 2015 - Page: 62

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 96

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 36

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 111

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 63

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 110

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 130

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 187

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 187

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 138

BirdLife South Africa

---

Top

List of South African Birds