The king tern breeds mainly in North America. There is also a small population in western Africa. As a wanderer, the king tern is sometimes seen in Spain, but for Europe it remains a very rare bird. It is one of the largest tern species.
This photo was taken on Bonaire. The tern is sitting on a block of coral and looking out to sea.
The bird breeds in inaccessible places such as deserted sandy beaches, islands and coral reefs where predators cannot come and where there is little vegetation. Outside the breeding season, they forage along coasts, at most 100 metres out to sea, but also in estuaries and harbours and along wide rivers sometimes short distances inland. Its food is small fish (3 to 18 cm), squid, shrimps and crabs.
Pieter Smit was born in Arnhem and has lived on Bonaire since 2010. In his spare time, he enjoys taking photos, mainly of the Caribbean island's colourful birds... Read more…