Terns and Noddies
Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Sternidae
Terns and Noddies are a group of generally general medium to large seabirds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects of the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species now known to live in excess of 25–30 years. There are 44 species worldwide, 22 in Southern Africa.
- Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica accidental
- Caspian Tern Sterna caspia
- Royal Tern Sterna maxima
- Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis
- Swift Tern Sterna bergii
- Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis
- Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii
- Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana accidental
- Common Tern Sterna hirundo
- Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea
- Antarctic Tern Sterna vittata
- Little Tern Sterna albifrons
- Damara Tern Sterna balaenarum
- White-cheeked Tern Sterna repressa accidental
- Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus accidental
- Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata
- Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida
- White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus
- Black Tern Chlidonias niger
- White Tern Gygis alba
- Brown Noddy Anous stolidus accidental
- Lesser Noddy Anous tenuirostris accidental
Read more about this topic: List Of Southern African Birds