White Terns

Otherwise known as Angel Tern, Fairy Tern or Lovers Tern, these little white sea birds are very unique in the Avian world.

They habitat Lord Howe Island off the coast of New South Wales amongst other places. They can be easily spotted from September to May.

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More often than not, you will see these angelic birds flying & sitting in pairs. They appear to be gentle, caring & doting creatures, a joy to watch. 

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White Terns lay their eggs on a bare branch, no nest at all. 

The parents take turns in sitting on the egg for around 30 days until it hatches. Great care must be taken so the egg will not fall to the ground.

After the chick has hatched, it will take about 2 months before it can fly & even longer before it can feed itself. So the parents go out to sea to feed themselves & to bring back tiny fish to feed their chick.

I found this lovely sitting on a lower branch of one of the many Norfolk Island Trees dotted along the waterfront of The Lagoon. 


A little time passed, then I noticed a tiny brown downy wing emerging from under her. 

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Soon, she nudged her baby chick to wake up & come out. So gorgeous.

Proud mum. Those little wings coming out for  a stretch.

Awesome!

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Mum flies off out to sea, leaving the chick alone on the branch...

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This is another chick. A little older, losing it's brown grey down & transitioning to white feathers.

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