Peruvian Tern

The Peruseeschwalbe ( Sternula lorata ) is a seabird of the tern family ( Sternidae ). It occurs on the coasts between central Ecuador and northern Chile.

Features

The Peruseeschwalbe reached a size 22 to 24 centimeters. Forehead, throat and chin are white. The hood is black. Between eyes and beak runs a black bridle. In non-breeding adult birds, the hood on white Strichel. However, the rest of the plumage is mainly light gray on the underside lighter. The legs are yellow. The beak is yellow with a black tip.

Occurrence

The distribution of Peruseeschwalbe extends to the west coast of South America between central Ecuador and northern Chile. Currently, only nine breeding colonies from Chile and four in Peru are known.

Habitat

The Peruseeschwalbe nests on sandy beaches and sand dunes, often more than 100 to 200 meters from the high tide line, as well as one to three miles inland in dry rocky deserts.

Way of life

The main food of Peruseeschwalbe consists of small fish, including the Peruvian anchovy ( Engraulis ringens ), and from Antarctic krill. Like other terns they float over the sea and captured the food animals when immersed in water. The breeding periods within the colonies run at different times and extend from August to February. Collections of pairs after the breeding season can be observed from April to July. The Peruseeschwalbe nests in small, loose groups ( from 3 to a maximum of 25 nests ). The nest consists of one or two eggs, which are incubated for 22 to 23 days. However, usually only one chick is raised. The light gray and beige coloring of the eggs and chicks provides a good camouflage against the snares of predators such as peregrine falcons, jackals Andean and Andean Skunke.

Inventory and risk

As recently as the 1990s, the Peruseeschwalbe was with a stock of 5,000 pairs as " not at risk " ( least concern ) classified. Between 1997 and 2007, however, a decline in the population of more than 50 per cent was recorded, mainly due to the decline of the anchovy shoals in the Humboldt Current, to the disturbance of breeding colonies by beach vehicles and by the destruction of breeding sites due to the construction of Slumstädten, summer houses and streets is due. Today BirdLife International estimates the backlog at 1,000 to 2,500 individuals and classified the species since 2005 as " critically endangered " ( endangered ) a.

System

The type specimen was killed in 1851. 1861 Rudolph Amandus Philippi and Peruseeschwalbe of Christian Ludwig Landenbeck was scientifically described under the binomials Sterna lorata. A revision of the Terns in 2005, the Peruseeschwalbe was placed in the genus Sternula.