Species fact sheet by Global Register of Migratory Species - www.groms.de

Sterna sandvicensis Latham, 1787 Thalasseus sandvicensis Family: Laridae Order: Charadriiformes Back
Sandwich tern Brandseeschwalbe Sterne caugek Charrán patinegro
CMS App II (Pop) AEWA Redlist 2000 (Criteria) NL CITES NL (Europe: SPEC 2 threat status D)
Migration: intercontinental subadults spend 2nd year in non-breeding areas

Sterna sandvicensis

Post-breeding movement both N and S to favourable feeding grounds, until S migration begins in mid-Sept. European birds move S along W coast of Africa, to winter mostly in tropics, a few remaining in W Europe; up to 35,000 off Mauretania in Dec. Adults move further S than young, the latter spending their 2nd year in Africa. Many Black Sea birds winter in the Mediterranean or Black Seas; rarely reach W Africa. Caspian Sea birds winter in the N Indian Ocean from S Red Sea to Pakistan, including Persian Gulf, but some remain in the Caspian and a few reach S India and Sri Lanka; irregular winter visitor E Africa (Kenya, Tanzania). North American birds move S through Caribbean and along both coasts of Central America to South America; some linger in SE USA and Caribbean, others reach Uruguay and W South America; sometimes numerous on C coast of Peru. Race eurygnatha winters in S Caribbean and along Atlantic coast of South America to Argentina; some post-breeding wandering in Gulf Stream N to North Carolina; few sightings from Colombia, including one on Pacific Coast. In Uruguay, eurygnatha is uncommon along coast in breeding seaon, while typical acuflavidus appears in winter from North America.
(del Hoyo J A Elliott; J Sargatal (eds) (1996) - www.hbw.com )

Regions: Caribbean Islands, Europe, Mesoamerica, North Africa, North America, North Asia, South & Southeast Asia, South America, Sub-Saharan Africa, West & Central Asia
Recommended link: http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/nature/directive/sterna_sandvicensis_en.htm
Feedback: mail to Klaus Riede
Explanatory notes
(Last update: 05.08.02 by E.Heuel)

Populations