Description
Roseate Tern is similar to Common Tern though a good observation will highlight the Roseate’s almost white upperparts and underwings, longer tail and black bill.
Distribution
This is a rare species that can be found in Madeira and Azores archipelagos and very locally through Northwest Europe (mainly UK, North of France and Spain). It occurs in Madeira island, where it breeds, though there was breeding records of it in Porto Santo and Ilhéu de Fora in Selvagens sub-archipelago.
Habitat
Roseate Terns are coastal birds that are usually seen close to harbours, rocky or sandy islets and sea cliffs.
Breeding
Its nests are usually in rocky islets or on quiet coastal cliffs. It lays 1 or 2 eggs in a single brood between May and June. This is the normal breeding behaviour for the Roseate Tern though Madeira Wind Birds has taken photos of an adult feeding a juvenile in February 2007 that can be an evidence of a winter brood.
Madeira name: Garajau rosado Portuguese name:Gaivina rosada Madeira Island breeder Social:Small flocks Length: 33 - 38 cm Status: Endangered
