Wideawake on Easter Island

June 24, 2010 in Terns with 1 comments

The Sooty Tern is a seabird that breeds on equatorial islands. Outside of breeding, they rarely are seen on land. The Sooty Tern has two nicknames related to its loud and somewhat obnoxious call. It is called the Wideawake Tern; in Hawaiian its name means cacophony. The Sooty Tern used to be part of an important ritual for the people of Easter Island. The clan of the "birdman" who could collect the first egg from a Sooty or Grey-backed Tern each year would control the island's resources. The Sooty Tern has been on Birdorable since July 2007. Be sure to check out our great collection of Sooty Tern t-shirts & gifts!

Comments

Spurwing Plover on July 7, 2021 at 2:59 AM wrote:

Some think that the Bird headed figures on Easter Island is the Frigatebird

Comments with links or HTML will be deleted. Your comment will be published pending approval.

Your name (required)

Your email address (required)

Your email address will not be published

Comment (required)

I agree to receive updates and news from Birdorable

You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy. By clicking submit below, you consent to allow Birdorable to store and process the personal information submitted above to provide you the content requested.

Cranes of the World Map for Crane Week

March 31, 2015

We're celebrating the cranes of the world as Crane Week continues! Yesterday we answered a frequently asked question about cranes: Where do cranes live? The answer: Cranes have a nearly cosmopolitan distribution. These tall, long-legged and long-necked birds are found on all continents -- except for Antarctica and...

2015 Bonanza Bird #23: Boat-billed Heron

December 23, 2015

Boat-billed Herons are medium-sized herons found in parts of Central and South America. They live in mangrove forests and feed on a wide variety of food items, including tidal fare like shrimp, insects, and fish. The Boat-billed Heron is named for its large...

Puerto Rico Week

Birdorable Adelaide’s Warbler Joins the Flock for Puerto Rico Week

March 24, 2025

We’re excited to introduce a brand-new Birdorable for Puerto Rico Week—meet the Birdorable Adelaide’s Warbler! This small, bright yellow warbler is one of Puerto Rico’s 18 endemic bird species, meaning it’s found only on the island. With its soft gray back, white eye-ring, and...

How Old Would You Be in Bird Years? Bird Ages vs. Human Ages

February 27, 2025

How long do birds live? The answer depends on the species. Some tiny songbirds only live a couple of years, while certain parrots and seabirds can outlive humans! But have you ever wondered how bird lifespans compare to human ages? If a parrot lives to be...

Birdorable Blog