Terns (Sternidae)

Kerguelen Tern (Sterna virgata) - HBW 3, p. 654

French: Sterne de Kerguelen German: Kerguelenseeschwalbe Spanish: Charrán de las Kerguelen

Taxonomy: Sterna virgata Cabanis, 1875, Kerguelen Island.
Some authors have separated Crozet birds as race mercuri, based on more restricted grey forehead in non-breeders and subtle soft-part distinctions. Monotypic.

Distribution: S Indian Ocean close to Antarctic Convergence at Kerguelen Is, Prince Edward and Marion Is, and Crozet Is; reported breeding on Heard I erroneous; sympatric with S. vittata, but diffe­rent phenology and feeding niche. Non-breeders remain close to breeding areas throughout year.