Fascinating sooty tern in the sky of Midway (00004790)

Description: The sooty tern, also known as Sterna fuscata oahuensis, is a fascinating bird species native to the Midway Islands. Approximately 50,000 pairs of these elegant birds nest on the islands of Eastern and Spit Island. The females lay their eggs either in the sand or on the hard surfaces of the runways, remnants from World War II. Sooty terns breed in large colonies and even after fledging, they can spend up to three years continuously at sea. Their only resting spots are driftwood or sleeping sea turtles on the ocean surface. These birds are excellent hunters and captivating creatures of the seas.

Location: Hawaiian Islands, Midway, USA

Date of Capture: 16.07.2001