| Family: |
Laridae () |
| Max. size: |
45 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 167.0 g |
| Environment: |
pelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 2 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific, Atlantic and Antarctic Indian Ocean. |
| Diagnosis: |
Culmen: 4.16 cm; tarsus: 5.715 cm; wing: 28.1 cm. |
| Biology: |
Total Length: 40 to 45 cm; Wingspan: 79 to 86 cm (Ref. 8812, 84934). Total population is 300,000 to 500,000 pairs. Tropical populations are sedentary while subtropical populations are more dispersive (Ref. 84934). Found nearshore to <100 km offshore (Ref. 356). Breeds aseasonally and colonially on cliffs, flat beaches, bare ground, and in bushes and trees on tropical and subtropical islands (Ref. 84934, 87784). Double-brooded (Ref. 84934). Highly pelagic and gregarious. Typically in large feeding flocks far out at sea over shoals of predatory fish (Ref. 91362). Foraging behavior includes dipping and snatching food from the sea surface (Refs. 356, 84934, 87784) rarely plunge-diving or settling on water (Ref. 84934, 87784, 91362). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
(LC); Date assessed: 19 February 2020 Ref. 123251)
|
| Threat to humans: |
|
| Country info: |
|
Source and more info: www.sealifebase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.
