Fairy Tern D85_8590.jpg
The Fairy (or white) Tern is a beautiful bird seen on all islands in Seychelles, even islands like Mahe where they are killed by introduced rats, cats and Barn Owls. They are usually seen flying around trees in pairs. Fairy Terns use trees for breeding, although they do not build a nest.
Instead, the female lays a single egg on a rare branch, usually where there is a knot or fork to support the egg. She will sit on the egg to prevent it from falling from the branch. As soon as the egg hatches twenty one days later, the fluffy chick clings on to the branch with its large clawed feet. The adults feed the chicks small fish, which are carried crossways in the parent’s beak.
Fairy Terns have big eyes that are thought to allow them to hunt for fish at night.
Fairy Tern D85_8590.jpg
The Fairy (or white) Tern is a beautiful bird seen on all islands in Seychelles, even islands like Mahe where they are killed by introduced rats, cats and Barn Owls. They are usually seen flying around trees in pairs. Fairy Terns use trees for breeding, although they do not build a nest.
Instead, the female lays a single egg on a rare branch, usually where there is a knot or fork to support the egg. She will sit on the egg to prevent it from falling from the branch. As soon as the egg hatches twenty one days later, the fluffy chick clings on to the branch with its large clawed feet. The adults feed the chicks small fish, which are carried crossways in the parent’s beak.
Fairy Terns have big eyes that are thought to allow them to hunt for fish at night.