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Little Terns hovering before plunge-diving

on 30th July 2011

Lena Chow was at Singapore’s Serangoon Reservoir on the morning of 24th July 2011 when she saw several Little Terns (Sterna albifrons) hovering above the water before diving down to catch fish.

Lena document this hovering behaviour on video, below:

According to Gochfeld & Burger (1996), Little Terns “Feeds mainly by plunge-diving from up to 10 m, often preceded by prolonged hovering. Occasionally performs surface-dipping and aerial hawking.”

Lena Chow
Singapore
July 2011

Reference:
Gochfeld, M. & J. Burger, 1996. Family Sternidae (Terns). In: del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott & J. Sargatal (eds.) Handbook of the birds of the world. Vol. 3. Hoatzin to Auks. Lynx Editions, Barcelona. Pp. 624-667.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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