Peruvian Tern

Sternula lorata (Philippi & Landbeck, 1861)

Peruvian Tern Sternula lorata breeds along the Pacific coast of South America from Ecuador to northern Chile, with its range centred on Peru. It is a tern in the family Laridae and is tied to hot deserts, sandy shores and coastal saline lagoons. A striking feature is its pale grey underparts, which help separate it from other small terns. It also has a very quick wingbeat. In the breeding season it nests in loose colonies, often near wetlands or lagoons, and may place its nest on beaches, dunes or sandy ground farther inland.

Order

Charadriiformes

Family

Laridae — Gulls, Terns, Skimmers

Breeding range

South America: coasts c Ecuador to n Chile