Images Dated 8th December 2004

Antarctic Tern (Sterna vittata) in flight, Deception Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica

The Antarctic Tern is a small bird at 31-38 cm (12-15 inches) long. Its bill is usually a dark red or blackish. It is mainly pale grey and white, but has a black cap when breeding. In non-breeding plumage it has a grizzled crown and white forehead. The tips of this terns wings are greyish black. Terns are quite gregarious in nature, fishing in flocks of up to several hundred birds within sight of land just beyond the surf zone and often within the kelp bed zone. They feed by swooping down and making shallow dives into the water to snatch prey. Principal diet includes small fish and various crustacea, krill probably being the most important and abundant. Antarctic terns also scavenge in the intertidal zone for stranded organisms

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Village / Black-headed / Spotted-backed / Spot-backed Weaver - Building / weaving nest

PS-8829
Village / Black-headed / Spotted-backed / Spot-backed Weaver - Building / weaving nest
Ploceus cucullatus
Peter Steyn
Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

© Peter Steyn/ardea.com

Africa, African, Architecture, At Nest, Bird, Building, Construction, Nest, Nest Building, Nest Material, Nests, Single, Spot Backed, Spotted Backed, Vegetation, Weaver, Wild Life, Working

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch - Male, on tree trunk

DH-3499
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch - Male, on tree trunk
Ootacamund Botanic Gardens, Nilgiri Hills, Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu, South India, Asia.
Sitta frontalis
A bird restricted to the Himalayas and Indian hill country. Inhabits open broad-leaved forest and well-wooded areas.
Don Hadden
Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

© Don Hadden/ardea.com