ComingsBirds.com/Birdgroups S-Z

To the Beauty of Birds

The Inca Tern Larosterna inca is clearly the most beautiful tern I have ever seen. Its black head, neck and body, bright red bill, yellow “mouth” and white curling moustache make for a striking creature. The moustache is present in both the males and female. Biologists believe there is a connection between the quality of this plume and the physical and reproductive condition of the bird. It creates nests in crevices in the ground, but sometimes will use nests abandoned by Humboldt penguins. Its range is along most of the western shore of South America.

The photos in the 4000 series were taken in Peru. The 300 seeries photos were taken at the Denber Zoo.

Inca Tern