LC
Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida



Taxonomy

Taxonomic source(s)
AERC TAC. 2003. AERC TAC Checklist of bird taxa occurring in Western Palearctic region, 15th Draft. Available at: http://www.aerc.eu/DOCS/Bird_taxa_of_the_WP15.xls.
Christidis, L. and Boles, W.E. 2008. Systematics and Taxonomy of Australian Birds. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Australia.
Cramp, S. and Simmons, K.E.L. (eds). 1977-1994. Handbook of the birds of Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The birds of the western Palearctic. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A. and Fishpool, L.D.C. 2014. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Non-passerines. Lynx Edicions BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.
Turbott, E.G. 1990. Checklist of the Birds of New Zealand. Ornithological Society of New Zealand, Wellington.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
- - -

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2016 Least Concern
2012 Least Concern
2009 Least Concern
2008 Least Concern
2004 Least Concern
2000 Lower Risk/Least Concern
1994 Lower Risk/Least Concern
1988 Lower Risk/Least Concern
Species attributes

Migratory status full migrant Forest dependency does not normally occur in forest
Land-mass type Average mass -
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 139,000,000 km2 medium
Extent of Occurrence (non-breeding) 130,000,000 km2 medium
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size unknown poor estimated 2012
Population trend stable - suspected -
Generation length 9.9 years - - -

Population justification: The global population is estimated to number c.300,000-1,500,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2015). The European population is estimated at 66,300-108,000 pairs, which equates to 133,000-215,000 mature individuals (BirdLife International 2015). National population estimates include: c.10,000-100,000 breeding pairs and c.1,000-10,000 individuals on migration in China; c.50-10,000 wintering individuals in Taiwan; < c.1,000 individuals on migration in Korea; c.50-1,000 individuals on migration and < c.50 wintering individuals in Japan and c.100-10,000 breeding pairs and c.50-1,000 individuals on migration in Russia (Brazil 2009).

Trend justification: The overall population trend is fluctuating, although some populations are stable and others have unknown trends (Wetlands International 2015). The European population trend is estimated to be increasing (BirdLife International 2015).


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
Afghanistan extant native yes
Albania extant native yes
Algeria extant native
Angola extant native
Armenia extant native yes
Australia extant native yes
Austria extant native yes
Azerbaijan extant native yes
Bahrain extant native yes
Bangladesh extant native
Barbados extant vagrant
Belarus extant native yes
Belgium extant vagrant
Benin extant native yes
Bosnia and Herzegovina extant native yes
Botswana extant native
Brunei extant native
Bulgaria extant native yes
Burkina Faso extant vagrant
Burundi extant vagrant
Cambodia extant native
Cameroon extant vagrant
Cape Verde extant vagrant
Central African Republic extant native
Chad extant native
China (mainland) extant native
Christmas Island (to Australia) extant vagrant
Congo, The Democratic Republic of the extant vagrant
Côte d'Ivoire extant native
Croatia extant native yes
Cyprus extant native
Czechia extant native yes
Denmark extant vagrant
Djibouti extant vagrant
Egypt extant native
Equatorial Guinea extant native
Eritrea extant vagrant
Eswatini extant native
Ethiopia extant native
Finland extant vagrant
France extant native yes yes
Gambia extant native
Germany extant native yes yes
Ghana extant native
Gibraltar (to UK) extant vagrant
Greece extant native yes yes
Guam (to USA) extant native yes
Guinea extant native
Guinea-Bissau extant native
Hong Kong (China) extant native
Hungary extant native yes
Iceland extant vagrant
India extant native
Indonesia extant native
Iran, Islamic Republic of extant native yes yes
Iraq extant native yes yes
Ireland extant vagrant
Israel extant native yes
Italy extant native yes yes
Japan extant native
Jordan extant native yes
Kazakhstan extant native yes
Kenya extant native
Kuwait extant native yes yes
Laos extant native
Latvia extant native yes
Lebanon extant native yes yes
Lesotho extant vagrant
Liberia extant native
Libya extant native
Lithuania extant native yes
Luxembourg extant vagrant
Madagascar extant native
Malawi extant native
Malaysia extant native yes
Maldives extant vagrant
Mali extant native
Malta extant vagrant
Mauritania extant native
Micronesia, Federated States of extant native yes
Moldova extant native
Mongolia extant native yes
Montenegro extant native yes yes
Morocco extant native
Mozambique extant native
Myanmar extant native
Namibia extant native
Nepal extant native
New Zealand extant vagrant
Niger extant native
Nigeria extant native
North Macedonia extant native yes
Northern Mariana Islands (to USA) extant native yes
Norway extant vagrant
Oman extant native yes yes
Pakistan extant native
Palau extant native yes
Palestine extant native yes
Papua New Guinea extant native
Philippines extant native
Poland extant native yes
Portugal extant native yes
Qatar extant native yes yes
Romania extant native yes yes
Russia extant native yes yes
Russia (Asian) extant native yes
Russia (Central Asian) extant native yes
Russia (European) extant native yes yes
Rwanda extant vagrant
Saudi Arabia extant native yes yes
Senegal extant native
Serbia extant native yes yes
Seychelles extant vagrant
Sierra Leone extant native
Singapore extant native
Slovakia extant native yes
Somalia extant native
South Africa extant native
South Korea extant native
South Sudan extant native yes
Spain extant native yes yes
Sri Lanka extant native
Sudan extant native
Sweden extant vagrant
Switzerland extant native
Syria extant native yes yes
Taiwan, China extant native
Tajikistan extant native
Tanzania extant native
Thailand extant native yes
Timor-Leste extant native yes
Togo extant native
Tunisia extant native
Türkiye extant native yes
Turkmenistan extant native yes
Uganda extant native
Ukraine extant native yes yes
United Arab Emirates extant native yes yes
United Kingdom extant vagrant
USA extant vagrant
Uzbekistan extant native yes
Vietnam extant native yes
Western Sahara extant native
Yemen extant native yes yes
Zambia extant native
Zimbabwe extant native

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
Australia Alligator Rivers Floodplains
Australia Fortescue Marshes
Australia Mandora Marsh and Anna Plains
Azerbaijan Lake Mahmudchala
Azerbaijan Lake Sarysu
Botswana Lake Ngami
Bulgaria Belene Islands Complex
Bulgaria Hadzi Dimitrovo Fish-ponds
Bulgaria Kalimok Complex
Bulgaria Malak Preslavets marsh
Bulgaria Mechka Fish-ponds
Bulgaria Obnova Fish-ponds
Bulgaria Srebarna
Bulgaria Tsibarsko Marsh
Bulgaria Zvanichevo Fish-ponds
Cambodia Bassac Marsh
Cambodia Chhnuk Tru
Croatia Grudnjak and Nasice Carp Fishponds
Croatia Jelas Field
Croatia Lower Posavina
Croatia Podunavlje and Lower Podravlje
Croatia Poilovlje with Carp Fishponds
Egypt Lake Burullus
Egypt Lake Manzala
France Brenne centrale
France Camargue
France Etang de Capestang
France Etangs de Sologne: étang de l'Arche
France Etangs de Sologne: St Viatre, Marcilly-en-Gault et forêt de Bruadan
France Etangs de Vendres, Pissevache et Lespignan
France Etangs Montpellierains
France Etangs Narbonnais
France La Dombes
France Marais de Brière
France Petite Camargue fluvio-lacustre
France Plaine du Forez
Germany Donau-Auen and Donau-Ried: Höchstädt - Donauwörth
Germany Lech-Donau-Winkel: Lechstausee Feldheim and Donaustausee Bertoldsheim
Germany Lower Oder valley
Germany Vogelfreistätte Mittlere Isar-Stauseen
Germany Wagbach lowlands
Ghana Keta Lagoon Ramsar Site
Greece Amvrakikos gulf
Greece Lake Agras
Greece Lake Ismarida (Mitrikou)
Greece Lake Kerkini
Greece Lakes Cheimaditis and Zazari
Hungary Alkaline lakes of Kiskunság
Hungary Bodrogzug–Taktaköz
Hungary Borsodi-Mezőség
Hungary Lake Kis-Balaton
India Kole Wetland
India Sulekere Lake
India Vembanad Lake
Iran, Islamic Republic of Anzali Mordab complex
Iran, Islamic Republic of Gomishan marshes and Turkoman steppes
Iran, Islamic Republic of Hamoun-i Sabari and Hamoun-i Hirmand
Iran, Islamic Republic of Lake Bibishervan and Lake Eymar
Iran, Islamic Republic of Lake Uromiyeh
Iran, Islamic Republic of Lapoo - Zargmarz ab-bandans
Iran, Islamic Republic of Miankaleh Peninsula and Gorgan Bay
Iran, Islamic Republic of Seyed Mohalli, Zarin Kola and Larim Sara
Iran, Islamic Republic of Shadegan marshes and tidal mudflats of Khor-al Amaya and Khor Musa
Iraq Razzaza Lake
Iraq West Hammar
Israel Carmel coast
Italy Bassa Modenese
Italy Valli Bolognesi
Kazakhstan Kazakhstan portion of the river Volga's Delta - Zhambay
Kenya Tana River Delta
Latvia Lubans and fish-ponds
Lithuania Nemunas delta regional Park
Madagascar Bemamba Wetland Complex
Madagascar Lake Ihotry - Mangoky Delta Complex NPA
Malaysia Pulau Bruit National Park
Mali Lac Débo - Lac Oualado Débo
Montenegro Bojana Delta
Montenegro Lower Moraca and Podgorica
Montenegro Skadar Lake
Montenegro Ulcinj saltpans
Pakistan Haleji Wildlife Sanctuary
Poland Biebrza river valley
Poland Brzeszcze ponds
Poland Druzno lake
Poland Jeziorsko reservoir
Poland Lower Skawa River Valley
Poland Middle Warta River Valley
Poland Nielisz Site
Poland Polesie
Poland Siemianowka Reseirvoir
Poland Upper Vistula River Valley
Poland Warta River Mouth
Portugal Cabrela
Portugal Paul do Boquilobo
Romania Black Sea
Romania Calafat - Ciuperceni - Dunăre
Romania Cefa fish-ponds and Radvani wood
Romania Comana
Romania Danube Delta
Romania Dunărea Veche (Braţul Măcin)
Romania Ilfov reservoir
Romania Lake Beibugeac (Plopu)
Romania Lake Brateş
Romania Lake Bugeac
Romania Lake Dunăreni
Romania Lake Gălăţui
Romania Lake Oltina
Romania Maglavit
Romania Măxineni
Romania Prut river flood-plain - Vlădeşti - Frumuşiţa
Russia (European) Delta of the Kuban' river
Russia (European) Delta of the River Don
Russia (European) Kizlyar Bay
Russia (European) Mouth of Yeya river
Senegal Joal-Fadiouth
Serbia Becej fish-pond
Serbia Carska bara
Serbia Srednje Potamišje
Slovakia Medzibodrožie
Slovakia Senné
Spain Almenara marshes
Spain Ebro delta
Spain El Hondo wetland
Spain El Moro marshes
Spain Gallocanta lake
Spain Guadalquivir marshes
Spain Isla Cristina and Ayamonte marshes and Prado lagoon
Spain Mata and Torrevieja lagoons
Spain Plain between Cáceres and Trujillo-Aldea del Cano
Spain Santa Pola salt-pans
Tanzania Eluanata dam
Tanzania Nyumba ya Mungu reservoir
Tanzania Yaida Chini
Thailand Inner Gulf of Thailand
Türkiye Batmış Lake (Cil Lake)
Türkiye Çavuşçu Lake
Türkiye Işıklı Lake
Türkiye Karamık Marshes
Türkiye Kozanlı Gökgöl
Türkiye Marmara Lake
Türkiye Meriç Delta
Türkiye Sultan Marsh
Türkiye Terkos Basin
Türkiye Uluabat Lake
Ukraine Fishponds near Kukil'nyky village
Ukraine Ikva river valley
Ukraine Korotchenkivs'ki meadows
Ukraine Kryva peninsula
Ukraine Kugurluj and Kartal lakes
Ukraine Kyivs'ke reservoir
Ukraine Mikulinetskie fish-ponds
Ukraine Pryp'yat' river valley
Ukraine Snyvoda river valley
Ukraine Syvash Bay
Ukraine Udaj river valley
Zambia Barotse Floodplains
Zambia Kafue Flats
Zambia Liuwa Plain National Park

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Artificial/Aquatic & Marine Artificial/Aquatic - Irrigated Land (includes irrigation channels) suitable breeding
Artificial/Aquatic & Marine Artificial/Aquatic - Irrigated Land (includes irrigation channels) suitable non-breeding
Artificial/Aquatic & Marine Artificial/Aquatic - Seasonally Flooded Agricultural Land suitable breeding
Artificial/Aquatic & Marine Artificial/Aquatic - Seasonally Flooded Agricultural Land suitable non-breeding
Marine Intertidal Salt Marshes (Emergent Grasses) suitable breeding
Marine Intertidal Salt Marshes (Emergent Grasses) suitable non-breeding
Wetlands (inland) Bogs, Marshes, Swamps, Fens, Peatlands suitable breeding
Wetlands (inland) Bogs, Marshes, Swamps, Fens, Peatlands suitable non-breeding
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Freshwater Marshes/Pools (under 8ha) suitable breeding
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Freshwater Marshes/Pools (under 8ha) suitable non-breeding
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Saline, Brackish or Alkaline Marshes/Pools suitable breeding
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Saline, Brackish or Alkaline Marshes/Pools suitable non-breeding
Wetlands (inland) Seasonal/Intermittent Freshwater Marshes/Pools (under 8ha) suitable breeding
Wetlands (inland) Seasonal/Intermittent Freshwater Marshes/Pools (under 8ha) suitable non-breeding
Wetlands (inland) Seasonal/Intermittent Saline, Brackish or Alkaline Marshes/Pools suitable breeding
Wetlands (inland) Seasonal/Intermittent Saline, Brackish or Alkaline Marshes/Pools suitable non-breeding
Altitude 0 - 2000 m Occasional altitudinal limits  

Utilisation
Purpose Scale
Food - human subsistence, national
Pets/display animals, horticulture international
Sport hunting/specimen collecting subsistence, national

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/whiskered-tern-chlidonias-hybrida on 22/11/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 22/11/2024.