Photo: Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
River Tern
Sterna aurantia
River Tern (Sterna aurantia) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of South & Southeast Asia.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The River Tern (Sterna aurantia) is a member of the Laridae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 209 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Charadriiformes
- Family Laridae Gulls, Terns, Skimmers
- Genus Sterna
- Species aurantia
Where it lives
Rivers of Indus Valley (central Pakistan), sub-Himalayan India, northwestern, central Myanmar, southwestern China, to southeastern Cambodia (formerly southern Vietnam)
Quick facts
- Weight
- 209 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Laridae
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The River Tern hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of rivers and riverside habitats, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The River Tern is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The River Tern (Sterna aurantia) is a member of the Laridae family, within the order Charadriiformes. Its range spans South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR rivers of Indus Valley (c Pakistan), sub-Himalayan India, nw, c Myanmar, sw China, to se Cambodia (formerly s Vietnam).
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 209 g, with a wing length of about 26.2 cm and a tail of around 16.8 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 5.4 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the River Tern?
The River Tern is a large bird that weighs around 209 g.
Where does the River Tern live?
The River Tern is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR rivers of Indus Valley (c Pakistan), sub-Himalayan India, nw, c Myanmar, sw China, to se Cambodia (formerly s Vietnam), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the River Tern belong to?
The River Tern (Sterna aurantia) belongs to the Laridae family, in the order Charadriiformes.
What does the River Tern eat?
The River Tern hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the River Tern migrate?
The River Tern is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the River Tern endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the River Tern make?
1 real field recording of the River Tern — including its flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the River Tern's range?
The River Tern has a mapped global range of about 5.4 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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