The whiskered tern

A whiskered tern perches on a rock in Honghu Park in Luohu District on Oct. 24, 2021. 

A new sensation is visiting our city. Recently attracting the attention of birders is the arrival of a whiskered tern (Chlidonias hybrida), at one of the lakes in Honghu Park. This bird is not a common sight in our city.

最近，一只须浮鸥频频现身洪湖公园，吸引了大批观鸟爱好者的注意。须浮鸥在深圳属少见鸟。

Whiskered terns are relatively small in size compared to other tern species, measuring about 25 centimeters with a wingspan of 66 cm. A beautiful black cap over its head contrasts amazingly with their white cheeks and red beaks. The tail is forked but not too visible like other terns. Their bodies are covered with white and grayish feathers, but colorations may vary during their life cycles, so you won’t enjoy those beautiful colors all the time.

须浮鸥是一种体型较小的燕鸥，体长约25厘米，翼展约66厘米。繁殖期的须浮鸥戴着一顶显眼的“黑帽子”，与雪白的脸颊及鲜红的喙形成了鲜明的对比。它们身披灰白相间的羽毛，尾部像燕子一样分叉，但是没有其他品种的燕鸥明那么明显。繁殖期一过，须浮鸥的羽色就会黯淡很多，不复先前的光鲜亮丽。

A whiskered tern perches on a rock in Honghu Park in Luohu District, feeding on a fish, on Oct. 23, 2021.

This species is one of the many migratory species that we will receive in Shenzhen this winter, traveling from different places like southern Siberia and Northern Asia to the south to avoid the cold weather.

与其他远道而来的冬候鸟一样，须浮鸥从西伯利亚南部及北亚的繁殖地出发，前往南方各地越冬。很幸运，深圳成为了它们的落脚地之一。

Whiskered terns are likely to be found on fresh water bodies during the migration time looking for a wide variety of animals to eat, including insects, amphibians or small fish which they catch by flying over the surface of the water but not by diving like most of other marine species, although they can hover for a while before catching their prey. It is always nice to see them coming and going over a lake looking for food in the surface of the water and then posing on a nearby solid structure to have some rest and finish their meal.

须浮鸥迁徙时常栖息于越冬地的淡水环境中，捕捉小鱼、两栖动物及昆虫补充体力。捕食的时候，它们很少像其他海鸟一样扎进水中，而是会在水面盘旋巡航，寻找猎物。捕食成功后，须浮鸥会找一处就近的落脚地稍事休息，享用美餐。

A whiskered tern is seen in Honghu Park in Luohu District on Oct. 24, 2021.

When whiskered terns are not migrating, they tend to create colonies. They will build their nests over marshes or shallow water wetlands covered with vegetation. They will usually lay up to three eggs with both parents taking care of the whole process, from incubation to raising the chicks. 

繁殖期的须浮鸥有营群巢的习性，巢址选在沼泽地及水位较浅、植被丰富的湿地上。它们每窝最多产三只卵，由双亲共同孵化育雏。

Not an endangered species, tern populations are relatively stable across the world. Nevertheless, it is not common to see them in city parks. My invitation is to go to Honghu Park to admire these beauties and their fantastic behavior.

燕鸥虽属无危物种，种群数量稳定，但是我们很难在深圳的市政公园里见到它们的身影。所以，我推荐大家都来洪湖公园看看这只须浮鸥，尽情欣赏它的美丽。