The
Greater crested tern is about 45cm long and has grayish-black
plumage. Its most distinguishing characteristic is the crest
of black feathers on its head, which looks like a Mohawk haircut.
When perched, their primary feathers are clearly longer than
their tails.
Behavior:
Greater
crested terns are larger in build compared to other birds of
the genus Sterna. They feed primarily on small fish and prefer
to live near river outlets, coastlines, and lagoons located
in temperate or tropical areas. A gregarious bird, Greater crested
terns breed collectively in small groups during their breeding
season, which begins in early June. Females typically lay their
eggs next to each other and usually only produce one egg per
brood. They build their nests in open areas on the rocky cliffs
of islands, and both males and females take turns feeding the
young. When defending their homes, the birds will raise their
crests straight up and use their beaks to protect their eggs,
nestlings, and juveniles.
Habitat:
Greater
crested terns are summer visitors to Taiwan commonly found in
Keelung Harbor and the mouths of the Hualien River, Lanyang
River, and Pachang River. The northernmost point where they
are believed to breed is the Matsu Islands.
