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Birds of Zihuatanejo

CLASS AVES

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Chordates (Phylum Chordata)

-Vertebrates (Subphylum Vertebrata)

-Birds (Class Aves)

-Shorebirds and Allies (Order Charadriiformes)

-Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers (Family Laridae)

-Terns and Noddies (Subfamily Sterninae)

-Caspian Terns (Genus Hydroprogne)

-Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia)


The Caspian tern is the world's largest tern, recognized by its large size, thick red-orange bill with a dark tip, and pale grey and white plumage. It has a black cap in breeding adults that becomes streaked or speckled in winter, and a less-forked tail than other terns. These birds are found globally, preferring freshwater and saltwater environments, where they dive from high in the air to catch fish.

Caspian Tern

Hydroprogne caspia

Diet

  • Primarily fish, including anchovies, sardines, mullet, and other small to medium-sized species.

  • Also feeds on crustaceans, aquatic insects, squid, and occasionally small birds and their chicks.

  • Hunts by flying over water and making spectacular plunge-dives to capture prey near the surface.

Range

  • Found on every continent except Antarctica, making it the world's most widespread tern.

  • Breeds in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.

  • In Mexico, it is primarily a winter visitor and migrant, occurring along both the Pacific and Gulf coasts, including the Zihuatanejo region.

  • Inhabits coastal beaches, estuaries, lagoons, bays, mudflats, reservoirs, large lakes, and river mouths.

Male / Female

  • Male: White body, pale gray upperparts, black cap during the breeding season, massive bright red bill with a black tip, and black legs. Slightly larger with a heavier bill.

  • Female: Nearly identical in plumage but generally a little smaller with a more slender bill.

  • Non-breeding adults: The black cap becomes streaked with white on the forehead.

  • Sexes cannot be reliably distinguished in the field except by subtle size differences.

Size

  • Length: 48–60 cm (19–24 in)

  • Wingspan: 127–145 cm (50–57 in)

  • Weight: 530–780 g (1.2–1.7 lb)

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