- ‹ previous
- 184 of 415
- next ›
Recordings
Scientific Name
Chlidonias niger
Arabic Name
الخرشنة السوداء
Kuwaiti name
خطاف
Family
Width
66.0 cm
Length
23.0 cm
Similar species
Information
Vagrant. Mainly seen singly in spring or autumn passage, but sporadically in winter. This species’ populations migrate well to the west of Kuwait, rarely reaching its territory. In non-breeding or transitional plumages it can be confused with other marsh terns.
Where in Kuwait
Only 12 records in Kuwait with the most recent seen in May 2013 in the Jahra Bay area, in fact almost all records of this species is from Jahra Bay and Sulaibikhat
In the world
It has an extremely large range with a decreasing population and is strongly migratory and travels both over land and over sea. It frequents inland wetlands including pools, ditches, reservoirs, lakes and sewage farms, as well as coastal habitats and estuaries. It is unmistakable during the breeding season, when it displays the distinctive dark plumage for which it is named. It occupies very different habitats during the breeding and non-breeding seasons
Local threats
Pollution and loss of habitat