Inca Tern: Habitat, Facts, Price & Images

The Inca Tern is a seabird known for its unique white mustache and dark gray feathers. It lives along the coasts of Peru and Chile but is often seen in U.S. zoos and bird parks.

People love its playful nature and attractive look. It eats mostly small fish like anchovies. It’s a favorite among bird lovers in the USA because of its interesting nature.

Images of Inca Tern

Price of Inca Tern

An Inca Tern usually costs between $300 to $500. The price can vary based on the bird’s age, health, and breeder reputation.

General Characteristics of Inca Tern

This bird is quite fascinating in terms of its apparent features and adds to the diversity of the birds in USA. Here are some general characteristics of this bird:

General Characteristic Inca Tern Features
Scientific Name Larosterna inca
Size Around 16 inches long
Weight Averages about 170 to 200 grams
Color Dark gray body
Beak Long, sharp, and red in color
Legs Bright red legs and feet
Distinctive Feature Curved white feathers on both sides of its beak, resembling a mustache
Diet Mainly eats small fish like anchovies
Sound Makes a sharp, high-pitched “kreee” call
Flight Style Agile and fast flier, often diving near water
Breeding Season Typically from April to July

Life Span of Inca Tern

An Inca Tern lives around 14 years in captivity with regular care. Their lifespan is usually shorter of about 7 to 10 years in the wild.

Interesting Facts Related to Inca Tern

This bird catches the attention of the visitors when seen especially for the first time. Here are some of the interesting facts of this bird which can also catch your interest:

1. White Moustache for Communication

Inca Tern’s curly white moustache signals health and maturity. Birds with fuller and brighter moustaches are more likely to attract a mate. It acts like a natural status symbol within their colonies.

Inca Terns use this visual signaals unlike many birds that rely on songs. This makes their look both functional and fascinating.

inca tern price

2. Nests in Abandoned Burrows

Inca Terns prefer reusing old burrows left by other animals. They often settle in cracks, holes, and abandoned tunnels along the pacific coast. This nesting habit is rare among seabirds.

The zoos replicate this by providing artificial crevices to keep them comfortable. It reflects their adaptability and need for shelter over height.

3. Feeds Using Surface Skimming

Inca Terns feed by touching the ocean’s surface rather than diving deep. They fly low over the water and picks off fishes with quick precision. This hunting method allows them to stay airborne most of the time.

They rarely submerge like pelicans or cormorants. It’s a adaptive way of fishing that suits their lightweight build and fast movements.

4. Favors Cold Ocean Currents

These birds survive in the Humboldt Current, which brings cold and nutrient-rich waters along the South American coast. It’s rare for a tropical-looking bird to prefer such cold conditions.

Their enclosures are kept cool to mimic this natural preference. Their comfort is closely tied to the temperature of their habitat. It’s a surprising trait owing to their elegant look.

inca tern fun facts

5. Lives in Large Noisy Colonies

Inca Terns are social and loud. They gather in large colonies with hundreds of individuals nesting close together. Their colonies are full of constant chatter. This makes them one of the noisiest seabirds in their range.

This behavior helps them stay alert to predators and navigate busy environments. It’s an interesting contrast to their silent and sharp appearance.

6. Rarely Migrates Long Distances

Inca Terns usually stay near their birthplace rather than migrating long distances. They are considered lazy because they stay near the west coast of South America year-round.

This limited movement is unusual for a seabird and keeps their range very specific. This also helps with managing their enclosure needs because they don’t require large flight spaces.

7. Has Bright Red Beak and Feet

The Inca Tern’s bright red beak and feet stay vivid year-round. This constant color helps maintain pair bonds and group identity. The red contrasts strongly with their dark gray feathers which makes them easy to recognize.

inca tern habitat

8. Shows Cooperative Parenting

Both parents take turns feeding and protecting the chicks. This shared parenting system leads to higher chick survival rates. It shows how invested these birds are in raising their young. The teamwork is a good example of equality in nature.

9. Rarely Found Outside Specialized Zoos

Inca Terns are mostly seen in major zoos or aquariums with coastal or tropical exhibits. Their care requires specific temperatures, diets, and social settings.

They’re not popular in pet trade due to these specialized needs. They’re truly a hidden gem in bird collections.

beard bird inca tern

10. Uses Unique Call Sounds

Inca Terns make a sharp and cat-like mewing sound that is quite different from typical seabird calls. This vocalization helps them communicate in noisy colonies. This is often described as surprisingly high-pitched and expressive.

Their voice is as unique as their look. It’s one of their lesser-known but catchy features.

11. Forms Long-Term Pairs

Inca Terns often stay together for life after choosing a mate. These long-term bonds are maintained through preening, feeding, and resting together.

The same pairs returning to each other across multiple breeding seasons have been observed. This loyalty is rare in many bird species.

inca tern mustache

12. Adapts Well to Enclosed Habitats

Inca Terns adapt surprisingly well to life in captivity despite being wild seabirds. They respond positively to enrichment like mirrors, flowing water, and flight tunnels.

Their adaptability helps conservationists study and protect them more effectively. It also makes them ideal ambassadors for seabird conservation.

Sightseeing of Inca Tern

These birds are mostly found near the sea coast because of their diertay needs. Here are certain places where these birds are mostly seen:

Location State in Which it is Located
Saint Louis Zoo Missouri
National Aviary Pennsylvania
Dallas World Aquarium Texas
Oregon Coast Aquarium Oregon
San Diego Zoo California
Aquarium of the Pacific California
Bronx Zoo New York
Sedgwick County Zoo Kansas

Photography Tips for Inca Tern

Here are some practical tips for taking good clicks of this bird and keeping the visit as a memory:

  • Use a zoom lens to capture pictures without disturbing the bird.

  • Shoot during early morning or late afternoon for softer light and rich feather details.

  • Focus on the bird’s white mustache to highlight its unique facial feature.

  • Keep a fast shutter speed to freeze their quick flight near water.

  • Use burst mode when they dive or fly to catch action frames.

  • Visit coastal aviaries or zoos in the USA like the Oregon Coast Aquarium for steady shots.

inca tern eat

Final Remarks

This bird is quite different from other sea bird species because it makes loud noise and distinguished sounds. The calm appearence is contrasted by the loud sounds. The white mustache makes its apparent look quite different from other birds. The diving and prey catching skills are quite sharp. This bird is a real gem for the biodiversity of the wildlife.

FAQs

1. Can I see an Inca Tern in the USA?

No, Inca Terns are native to the west coast of South America, but a few can be seen in U.S. zoos and aquariums.

2. Why does the Inca Tern have a mustache?

The white mustache helps signal health and strength during mating, since only healthy birds grow prominent ones.

3. What does the Inca Tern eat?

It mainly eats small fish and catch them while flying low over the ocean.