What do I eat? Antarctic terns are gregarious, fishing in flocks of up to several hundred birds just beyond the surf zone. They feed on small fish and various crustacea. Antarctic terns also scavenge in the intertidal zone for stranded littoral organisms and do not feed on land. At Heard Island, Antarctic Terns have been seen foraging in coastal marine lagoons.
What eats me? Adult Antarctic terns co-operate to defend their colonies. However, Subantarctic Skuas and Kelp Gulls still occasionally manage to take eggs or chicks from unattended nests in colonies.
Range trip length: Mostly feed close to shore in the kelp-zone and often in heavy surf. Non-breeding range is not completely known, but it is believed that Heard Island terns migrate to southern Africa in winter.
Distribution & Abundance
Distribution: Antarctic Terns breed at Tristan da Cunha, Gough Island, Iles Kerguelen, St. Paul and Amsterdam Island, South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands, South Orkney Islands, South Shetland Islands, the Antarctic Peninsula, some New Zealand subantarctic islands, Macquarie Island and Heard Island. The birds generally breed among rocks, such as on rocky shores, terminal moraines and cliffs, and sometimes among low-lying vegetation.
Abundance: The population on Heard Island is estimated at 200 breeding birds. There is currently no data to indicate popluation trends.
Conservation Status:
The species is a listed threatened (vulnerable) and marine species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
The species is covered by a Draft recovery plan for ten species of seabird 2004-2009 currently in preparation, and the Action Plan for Australian Birds 2000.
General Comments
Individuals are highly sensitive to human disturbance and will readily abandon their nest if approached too closely.
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