Sandwich tern

Introduction: Sandwich terns (Sterna sandvicensis) take their name from English and Namibian locations, notably Sandwich in Kent, England and Sandwich Harbour in Namibia. Preferred habitats include a sandy and rocky coastline, with shallow sandy bottomed bays with clear water. They roost on river mouth beaches, on offshore islands and at saltworks. Bathing in shallow water with a gentle wave action is favoured to swimming.

Distribution: Widely distributed along the Namibian coastline from the Orange River northwards through Luderitz to Walvis Bay and Swakopmund with the range extending north along the Skeleton Coast to the Kunene River estuary.

Diet: Known to forage about 2km from the coast by day to plunge-dive for surface-dwelling marine fish, crustaceans and molluscs.

Description: Distinctive long bill with a full black cap that extends from the base of the bill, through the bottom of the eye to the nape where some feathers elongate to form a crest.

Breeding: Breeds around Europe and South America.

Size: 40cm.

Weight: 220g.

Wingspan: 100cm.