The Damara tern is a species of small tern in the family Laridae which breeds in the southern summer in southern Africa and migrates to tropical African coasts to winter.
Region
Southwest Africa and tropical West African coast
Typical Environment
Breeds mainly along the arid Atlantic coast of Namibia and western South Africa, with scattered sites on gravel plains and coastal salt pans. Colonies are often located a few kilometers inland from the surf zone, in sparse desert vegetation or on open sand and gravel. During the nonbreeding season it disperses north along the tropical West African coastline to forage in shallow nearshore waters. Typical environments include sandy beaches, sand spits, tidal flats, lagoons, estuaries, and nearshore surf zones. Roosting occurs on quiet sandbars and undisturbed beach sections.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 300 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A tiny coastal tern, the Damara tern breeds on open desert gravel plains and salt pans in southwestern Africa—often far from the sea—then migrates to tropical West African coasts for the nonbreeding season. Adults in breeding plumage have a neat black cap with a white forehead and a slender black bill, distinguishing them from similar little terns. Nests are simple scrapes, making them vulnerable to trampling and disturbance by vehicles and beach activities. Conservation actions often focus on protecting nesting areas and managing human access.
Temperament
wary and alert
Flight Pattern
agile with rapid wingbeats and frequent hovering before shallow plunge-dives
Social Behavior
Nests singly or in small, loose colonies on open ground, making shallow scrapes lined with small pebbles or shell fragments. Both sexes share incubation and chick-rearing, and courtship often involves fish offerings. Pairs are territorial around the nest but may forage in small groups.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Calls are high-pitched and squeaky, often a sharp tsip or see-sip given in flight. Alarm calls become more insistent and rapid near nesting sites.
Plumage
Breeding adults show clean white underparts, pale grey upperwings and mantle, a crisp black cap with a contrasting white forehead, and a pale grey tail. Nonbreeding birds have a reduced cap with a dark eye-stripe and more mottled crown. Juveniles are mottled brownish-grey above with fine scaling.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small schooling fishes taken close to the surface, including anchovies and silversides. Also takes small crustaceans and marine invertebrates when fish are scarce. Forages by hovering and then dipping or making short plunge-dives into shallow water.
Preferred Environment
Shallow coastal waters, surf zones, estuaries, lagoons, and tidal creeks near sandy beaches and sandbars. During breeding, may commute between inland nesting sites and coastal feeding areas.
