Direct Field Observation Reveals Whiskered Terns Chlidonias hybrida Preying on Fish Much Larger than Themselves

Authors

Muhammad Iqbal, Sriwijaya UniversityFollow
Deni Mulyana
Pormansyah
Indra Yustian
Arum Setiawan
Hilda Zulkifli

Abstract

A Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida, consistent with the species’ aggressive nature, was observed to catch and then consume a Great Blue spotted Mudskipper Boleophthalmus pectinirostris in the Nibung River, Banyuasin Peninsula, South Sumatra Province, Indonesia. The fish was ca. 15 cm in length, which was perhaps equal to the tern’s body length and more than double the size of its usual prey. The tern spent over 20 minutes eating the fish. Only direct, field observation would have revealed predation on this fish.

DOI

http://doi.org/10.5038/2074-1235.50.1.1455

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Recommended Citation

Iqbal, Muhammad; Mulyana, Deni; Pormansyah; Yustian, Indra; Setiawan, Arum; and Zulkifli, Hilda (2022) "Direct Field Observation Reveals Whiskered Terns Chlidonias hybrida Preying on Fish Much Larger than Themselves," Marine Ornithology: Vol. 50 : Iss. 1 , Article 9.
http://doi.org/10.5038/2074-1235.50.1.1455
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/marine_ornithology/vol50/iss1/9