Falkland Islands 'Split-tail' or 'Swallow-tail Gull'. Length: 40 - 43 cm (16 - 17 inches). Resident breeder, the only tern to breed in the Falklands. It is common in summer, easily recognised with white neck and underparts, dove grey back and wings, dark cap and deep red beak legs and feet.

Feeds by taking small fish and crustaceans, surface diving into the sea or by taking from kelp beds.

South American Terns like to nest in colonies near Brown-hooded gulls, Dolphin or Kelp gulls. Colonies are often on rocky or shingle beaches but they will also breed inland by freshwater ponds. Nests are scrapes on beaches but if available they are lined with grass. Two eggs are laid.

Found from Peru and Brazil to Tierra del Fuego, Cape Horn and the Falklands.

Sources include: Falkland Islands State of the Environment Report 2008 Otley H, Munro G, Clausen A, Ingham B. A Field Guide to the Wildlife of The Falkland Islands and South Georgia - Ian J Strange, Guide to Birds of the Falkland Islands- Robin W. Woods.

Photographic credits: Robert Maddocks

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