Species: Aleutian Tern (Onychoprion aleuticus)

Information About

Aleutian Tern

Quick Facts
Latin

Onychoprion aleuticus

Yup'ik

civtulgaq

Subspecies

Viewing Scale

Chances of seeing Aleutian Tern in Alaska

Aleutian Tern in Detail.
About

Aleutian Tern (Onychoprion aleuticus) are a small sea bird mostly gray in color with a black-capped head and black strap that extends from their cap across their eyes to the rear of their black beaks. They have long pointed dark gray tails, which extend out from a white rump and black legs. When feeding the terns plunge and dive for fish.

Breeding

Aleutian Terns nest on the ground laying 2-3 eggs. Conflicts of land with livestock grazing on Kodiak Island sometimes turn problematic for the terns.



Habitat & Range

The Aleutian Tern can be found on Kodiak Island and Afognak Island where populations are declining.

Aleutian Terns winter in the South Pacific around Indonesia and Malaysia