Occurrence of bridled and gray-backed terns in American Samoa
Rauzon MJ. 2006. Occurrence of bridled and gray-backed terns in American Samoa. Western Birds. 37:169-174
In the central Pacific, the Bridled Tern (Sterna anaethetus) and the Gray-backed Tern (S. lunata) are best distinguished by the pattern of the undersides of their primaries, largely white in the Gray-backed, contrastingly dark in the Bridled. In American Samoa, where the species’ ranges overlap, their similarity in plumage may have led to confusion in early records of both species. During seabird surveys around Tutuila, American Samoa, in December 2003, the presence of the Bridled Tern was confirmed. Included is a review of past sightings of the Gray-backed Tern in American Samoa.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Rauzon, Mark
- Units
- NPSA , PACN
- Keywords
- American Samoa, Animal Studies, Bird, bridled tern (Sterna anaethetus), gray-backed tern (Sterna lunata)