Fascinating Sooty Tern elegantly glides over the sea on the Hawaiian Islands (00004815)

Description: The Sooty Tern (Sternidae) is a fascinating bird species that impresses with its elegant appearance and aerial acrobatics. This particular subspecies, Sterna fuscata oahuensis, is native to the Hawaiian Islands and showcases its natural behavior here. Approximately 50,000 pairs of Sooty Terns nest on Eastern and Spit Island. These birds lay their eggs either in the sand or on the hard surface of old runways from World War II on Eastern Island. Sooty Terns breed in large colonies and even after they have fledged, they remain continuously at sea for up to three years. Their only resting spots are on driftwood or sleeping sea turtles on the ocean surface. With their keen eyesight and agile flight maneuvers, Sooty Terns are excellent hunters.

Location: Hawaiian Islands, Midway, USA

Date of Capture: 16.07.2001