Sooty 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: Onychoprion fuscata

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Profile last updated: 08 Mar 2018

Description

The Sooty Tern (formerly Sterna fuscata) is a largish black tern with white underparts, forehead and tail streamers. There is a thin white leading edge to the inner wing. Juveniles are similar but greyer with white scallops above and a grey breast.

Distribution

The Sooty Tern is found over tropical and sub-tropical seas and on associated islands and cays around Northern Australia. In NSW only known to breed at Lord Howe Island. Occasionally seen along coastal NSW, especially after cyclones.

Habitat and ecology

Large flocks can be seen soaring, skimming and dipping but seldom plunging in off shore waters.
Breeds in large colonies in sand or coral scrapes on offshore islands and cays including Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Predation on breeding grounds by domestic dogs and introduced rats.
Trampling and disturbance of breeding grounds by tourists.
Modification and clearing of habitat due to development, particularly around the Lord Howe Island Airstrip creating conditions for weed and pest invasion.
Loss of nesting habitat due to invasion by exotic grasses, particularly Kikuyu, which thickens the vegetation and removes available nest sites.
Biosecurity risk from new or previously eradicated vertebrate pest species (including introduction of brown or green snakes, pythons and green tree frogs).
Loss of quality food source due to overfishing, particularly of large predatory fish species. The loss of large fish species often targeted by fishing vessels may make it harder for the species to locate prey.
Damage to eggs and nests of nesting pairs from aerodrome activities (in accordance with permits).

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Control domestic pets.
Regulate tourist access using public education programs.
Eradicate introduced rodents on Lord Howe Island.
Restrict inappropriate development.
Monitor and prevent imports of exotic weeds.
Research and monitor population size.

Information sources

Department of Environment and Climate Change (NSW) (2007) Lord Howe Island Biodiversity Management Plan. Department of Environment and Climate Change (NSW), Sydney.
Hutton, I. (1991) Birds of Lord Howe Island Past and Present.
Schodde, R. and Mason, I.J. (1999) The Directory of Australian Birds. (CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

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

Sounds

Images

Sooty Tern
Enlarge image

Nature conservation

Threatened species