ATLANTIC WHITE TERN Gygis alba

Known to documentary makers and most members of the public as Fairy Tern, this unique tern breeds on many tropical islands. Apart from its appearance it is also unique in laying a single egg on a tree branch with no nest, and is most closely related to Noddies. "Real" Fairy Tern is an Australasian species similar to Little Tern types. Breeds on many tropical islands worldwide, and has recently been split in to three species, based on slight morphological differences. The split is by no means "set in stone", but it is possible to distinguish birds by their size and bill colouration, apart from distinct ranges.

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