Shoreline; Diet. Not usually displayed in zoos. Inca terns are natives of the western shoreline of South America and the islands located offshore. These colorful seabirds live in South America along the Pacific coasts of Chile and Peru. What other names does the Inca tern have? Inca terns are native to the same region of South America as the ancient Inca Empire—hence their name. They are also smart birds because they also follow sea lions, dolphins, whales and fishing boats to scavenge scraps. The eggs are incubated for about 4 weeks, and the chicks leave the nest 7-8 weeks after hatching. But, if you ever have a chance to listen to it, you may agree with me that it sounds like an angry cat or a cat with a hoarse voice. 7. STATUS Common. How many other birds sport such a fancy ornament? Yes, the Inca tern has a mustache, but did you know it serves a purpose? RANGE: Inca Tern is found on the west coast of South America, from Ecuador and Peru, to Chile. Another kleptoparasitic bird is the magnificent frigatebird. Quick Facts. 54 Gifts for Bird Lovers: Gear, Books, Apparel, and Other Awesome Stuff, 20 Nocturnal Birds That Burn the Midnight Oil (Owls, Nightjars … and Parrots? But, if you ask other birds, dolphins and sea lions, they may tell you (if they could talk) that Inca terns are indeed aggressive. The Latin name for the Inca tern is Larosterna inca. What does the Inca tern look like? She also guest blogs on LatinRootsTravel and GringosAbroad. Also, if mom and dad Inca terns don’t watch their eggs and chicks closely, large seabirds may find and eat them. Now, those are some pretty cool Inca tern facts! And search more of iStock's library of royalty-free stock images that features Animal photos available for quick and easy download. Check out the following 27 Inca tern facts! Cats, rats, and sea lions will eat, or at least attack, Inca terns. She is the founder and owner of EverywhereWild Media, EverywhereWild, and co-founder and owner of JustBirding. Hey, that bird has a mustache! Next: How to Choose the Best Camera for Wildlife Photography (Birding Guide). Please tell me in the comments and I will do my best to write about them. Juveniles appear more brownish-purple and don’t grow their mustaches until they are about two years old. The Inca tern has a wingspan of about 31.5 inches (80 cm). It can be identified by its dark grey body, white moustache on both sides of its head, and red-orange beak and feet. For a tern, the Inca tern is on the large side, measuring between 15.35 and 16.53 inches (39 and 42 cm) in length. Inca Tern (Larosterna inca) Birds, Seabirds. Inca terns have another way that they get food. This lets the female know whether he will be a good provider for her and their future kids or not. These include April through July and October through December. It depends on who you ask. West coast of South America; Habitat. The inca tern is a blue-gray bird with unique white feathery tufts extending from its face, a red beak and a yellow wattle. Scientists have learned that the length of the Inca tern’s mustache indicates the health condition of the bird, meaning the longer the healthier. Latin name: Larosterna inca; Length: 1.3 ft; Weight: 6.7 to 8.1 oz; Habitat: Coastal rocky cliffs; Diet: Small fish and marine invertebrates; Risk Status: Species at Risk (IUCN—Lower risk/near threatened) Range: Coast and coastal islands of Chile and Peru Inca terns swoop down and pluck fish from near the water’s surface. HABITAT: Pacific coast from Peru to Chile; breeds on inshore islands and coastal cliffs. Do both Inca tern parents raise their chicks? Or, maybe you have information about this bird that is not included. It actually serves a purpose. Inca terns can carry diseases such as avian malaria and avian influenza. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. How many eggs does the Inca tern lay? When you use my links, I may earn an affiliate commission. Inca terns are also unique because they do not migrate like other seabirds. You can see the Inca tern if you take a trip to the Pacific coasts of Peru or Chile. It nests in a hollow or burrow or sometimes the old nest of a Humboldt penguin, and lays one or two eggs. Inca terns are even so brave as to fly down and grab fish from a fishing boat. It is important that these cavities are deep to protect the eggs and chicks from predators. This seabird is so named because it inhabits the same range that the ancient Inca Empire once ruled. Fortunately, the Peruvian government has established a reserve to protect these seabirds. If impressed, the female will chase after him, and together, they will sky dance. They especially like anchovies but will also eat other fish, plankton, and crustaceans (shrimp, crayfish, crab, etc.). Here are a few: A list of Inca tern facts wouldn’t be complete without information about the love relationships between these seabirds. If you know of any other names for the Inca tern, let us know in the comments section! The male will also show off his diving skills and pursue the female in the sky to offer her the fish gift he caught. The white tern is unique in that it lays its single egg on a bare tree branch. iStock Inca Tern Stock Photo - Download Image Now Download this Inca Tern photo now. After the chicks hatch, Mom and Dad both will feed them until they are ready to fledge at about seven weeks old. This uniquely plumaged bird breeds on the coasts of Peru and Chile, and is restricted to the Humboldt Current. Inca terns are piscivores. The Inca tern is the only member of its family that nests underground. Enjoy! I’m 18, and I have a passion for birds. Most Inca terns love each other’s company which is why they hang out together in large colonies. Small fish; Easily recognizable by their mustache feathers, the length of these feathers is said to represent how healthy the bird is. Why? Juveniles are brown and only develop the mustache when they reach maturity. What is the habitat of the Inca tern? Inca terns usually lay eggs during two different periods each year. 8 Birds to Make You Believe in True Love. Well, of course, the Inca tern is special because of his dashing mustache. Inca tern populations are threatened due to a number of causes that include overfishing by humans. The Inca tern’s sharp cries sound like a kitten’s cry. They often do this by diving down and snatching it right out of the mouths of sea lions and dolphins which is pretty daring. Hi! A graceful flier, this seabird hovers over the water until it hones in on a small fish, such as an anchovy, just below the surface of the water. Want to learn more? 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