Inca Tern - Larosterna inca

I find these birds gorgeous, with their long white moustache.
I was happy when they added them to the repertoire of birds in the Planckendael Zoo. I photographed these in August 2018.

Later I heard that unfortunately 18-22 had escaped and for what I find on internet only a few have been retrieved (I wonder if this may have potentially created a European wild population).

See the news (some in Dutch) here:
https://www.brusselstimes.com/news/art-culture/97395/18-exotic-birds-escape-from-zoo-planckendael-inca-tern-moustache
https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2020/02/27/al-2-incasternen-uit-planckendael-terecht/
https://www.gva.be/cnt/dmf20200910_95942169

This year I came back to Plancjendael in the winter and I did not see them anymore in their former area of exhibit so I wonder what happened in the end....

comments (7)

Christine Young

Lion

Oh wow! I wonder what happened to them. Perhaps they are happily enjoying their freedom somewhere. While I was reading about this, I came across this link about some birds that escaped a zoo in NY:
https://www.newsweek.com/great-escape-birds-flee-bronx-coop-185132 Posted 3 years ago
1. Patomarazul
  
  Lion
  
  It seems that they are Houdinis of the zoo world! I don't know in here because that winter was cold. If over the years we start seeing them in the wild that would mean they survived but several years have passed and there has not been more news :-( Posted 3 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    It would have been awesome to see their flight paths, etc. if they had had trackers! Posted 3 years ago
  2. 1. Patomarazul
      
      Lion
      
      I guess they would have been able to retrieve them if they had. I wonder why they did not put trackers on them just in case (maybe too expensive or they just did not think that they would escape (?)) Posted 3 years ago
    2. 1. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Yeah, it probably isn't feasible. It would have been interesting to be able to watch what they did/see where they went, though. Posted 3 years ago
      2. Patomarazul
        
        Lion
        
        Yes, indeed. I think when we go back to the zoo we should ask to see if they could recover more/ not etc. I will let you know if I find out. Posted 3 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Okay, sounds good. :) Posted 3 years ago

The Inca Tern

The Inca Tern is a seabird in the family Laridae. It is the only member of the genus "Larosterna". This uniquely-plumaged bird breeds on the coasts of Peru and Chile, and is restricted to the Humboldt current. It can be identified by its dark grey body, white moustache on the both sides of its head, and red-orange beak and feet.

Info 9 0

Similar species: Shorebirds And Allies

Species identified by Patomarazul

By Patomarazul

Uploaded Dec 11, 2021. Captured Aug 15, 2018 17:38 in Leuvensesteenweg 582, 2812 Mechelen, Belgium.

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SP-820UZ
f/5.7
10/2000s
ISO250
108.1mm

Captured in the summer. More summer photos.