White Tern - profile

Indicative distribution

Loading map...

Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Gygis alba

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Profile last updated: 08 Mar 2018

Description

Medium-sized tern with all-white plumage. The tail is long with a shallow fork. The eyes, eye-rings and bill are black and the legs and feet greyish.

Distribution

Occurs widely in tropical and subtropical seas and islands. The subspecies on Lord Howe Island is rarely seen on the mainland but occurs on Norfolk and Kermadec Islands. Most breeding sites on Lord Howe Island are close to the lagoon in the settlement area.

Habitat and ecology

Marine
A recent arrival to Lord Howe Island, only breeding there since the 1960s.
This species nests in the high branches of trees. On Lord Howe Island it nests in the introduced Norfolk Island Pine as well as native Sallywood, Blackbutt, Greybark, Banyan and Pandanus.
White Terns do not build a nest but select a depression or damaged area on the branch of a tree on which to balance their egg.
Breeding and non-breeding birds roost in the trees during the night.
Vagrant birds occur in coastal NSW waters, particularly after storm events.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Introduced masked owls predate upon chicks and adults which exacerbates the natural predation of eggs and chicks by the Lord Howe Island currawong.
Removal of introduced mature Norfolk Pines used for nesting.
Potential further introductions of exotic species can impact the white tern and other Lord Howe Island natives.
Large storms are increasing in severity and frequency as a result of climate change, which result in loss of white tern chicks.

Recovery strategies

Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Office of Environment and Heritage has identified 0 priority actions to help recover the White Tern in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Control and eradicate the Masked Owl population.
Manage Norfolk Island Pine removal to maintain significant trees.

Information sources

Hutton, I. (1991) Birds of Lord Howe Island Past and Present.
NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (NSW) (2007) Lord Howe Island Biodiversity Management Plan

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Ocean	Batemans Shelf	Predicted	None
Ocean	Hawkesbury Shelf	Known	None
Ocean	Manning Shelf	Predicted	None
Ocean	South Pacific Ocean	Known	None
Ocean	Tweed-Moreton	Known	None
Ocean	Twofold Shelf	Predicted	None
Other State	QLD	Known	None
Pacific Subtropical Islands	Lord Howe Island	Known	None

Images

White Tern Image 1 of 2.
View slideshow.

Nature conservation

Threatened species