The Great Barrier Reef boasts 215 species of birds, including 22 species of seabirds, and shorebirds numbering 32 species.
The Roseate Tern is considered a seabird plentiful on the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef, especially Lady Elliot Island.
Instead of nesting in nests in trees, they make a hollow under dense vegetation to roost.
They make good use of the ocean, however, by diving in to grab fish out of the water, and does not prefer fresh water for feeding. They may bathe in fresh water lagoons inland.
Roseate terns don’t mind stealing fish from other seabirds, which is atypical for sterns, and the male offers up a meal to the female when courting.
In groups of more tropical places where the Roseate tern flourishes, the red base of their thin, sharp, black bill is much more extensive.
They have long, flexible tail feathers visible during flight that look like streamers. The namesake of the Roseate comes from the adults’ coloration of their belly, which is pinkish.
Scientific Classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Sternidae
Genus: Sterna
Species: S. dougallii
Conservation Status:
Although the Roseate Tern’s population has been decreasing over the long-term, the species is in a state of Least Concern with regards to Conservation, compared to other animals.
Their plumes were used to decorate hats in the later part of the 1800s, so they were extensively hunted.
As larger gulls’ populations increase, they are preyed upon more and more.
To preserve this species in regards to conservation, nestboxes have been supplied in various populations and this has greatly increased their population and survival.
***
I hope you enjoyed this Australian Animal on Exotic Animal Lover during Great Barrier Reef Month! Until next time…
Live Exotically,
Kimberly Edwards 
P.S. Please be sure to Subscribe to this Blog.
Technorati Tags: Roseate tern, tern, birds, seabirds, Australian birds, marine animals, Great Barrier Reef animals, Great Barrier Reef birds
Similar Posts:
- Animals of the Great Barrier Reef
- Dreaming on the Great Barrier Reef
- Potato Cod on the Great Barrier Reef
- Whitetip Reef Sharks on the Great Barrier Reef
- Saltwater Crocodiles on the Great Barrier Reef?
Popularity: 2% [?]
