Inca Tern

seabird · South America · ocean hunter

Fancy white mustache. The Inca tern has a distinctive white stripe that looks like a handlebar mustache on its dark gray face, making it one of the most recognizable terns in the world.

Pacific coast specialist. These birds live along the Pacific coasts of Chile, Ecuador, and Peru, where they dive and dart over the ocean hunting for small fish.

Near-threatened status. Inca terns are considered near-threatened, meaning their numbers are declining and they need protection to survive in the wild.

Occasional wanderers. While they normally stay on the Pacific coast of South America, some Inca terns have shown up as visitors in Central America and even Hawaii, far from their usual homes.