Sterna lorata

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	CHARADRIIFORMES	LARIDAE

Scientific Name:

Sterna lorata

Species Authority:

Philippi & Landbeck, 1861

Common Name/s:

English	–	Peruvian Tern
Spanish	–	Charrancito Peruano

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Endangered C2a(i) ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2010

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Calvert, R., Butchart, S., Bird, J.

Contributor/s:

Tello, A., Zavalaga, C., Engblom, G., Jaramillo, A., Guerra, C., Plenge, M.

Justification:
This species is listed as Endangered because it is estimated to have a very small population which is undergoing continuing declines owing to habitat loss and disturbance in its breeding grounds. It is also restricted to a very small area when breeding and these breeding grounds remain highly threatened.

History:

2008	–	Endangered
2006	–	Endangered
2005	–	Endangered
2004	–	Near Threatened

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Sterna lorata is restricted to the Humboldt Current zone from north Peru to the Peninsula of Mejillones in Chile^3,6. Its movements are poorly known, but it has been recorded north to central Ecuador⁶. There are now only three known breeding sites in Peru^1,2 and nine in Chile (all these sites located in the Peninsula of Mejillones and nearby areas³). A well-known former breeding site at Puerto Viejo is now heavily developed and no longer supports breeding birds¹, and population declines have been noted in some other localities (Pampa Mejillones and La Portada in Chile³). One locality was previously reported to have tens of thousands of individuals, but the population is now thought to be significantly reduced, as the numbers at all sites are estimated at 950-1,100 individuals and 150 to 160 pairs^1,3. Some reports suggest that the population may have declined by 50% in the last 10 years¹⁴. However, there are still unsurveyed sandy beaches away from the Pan-American Highway that could be suitable for nesting, and old colonies that have not been visited since their discovery decades ago, so the total is perhaps likely to fall in the range of 1,000-2,500 individuals.
Countries:	Native: Chile; Ecuador; Peru
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Estimates range from 100 pairs (G. Engblom in litt. 2005) to 5,000 pairs (M. Plenge in litt. 1999). Given that there are still unsurveyed sandy beaches away from the Pan-American Highway, the total is perhaps likely to fall in the range of 1,000-2,499 individuals.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Population:

Estimates range from 100 pairs (G. Engblom in litt. 2005) to 5,000 pairs (M. Plenge in litt. 1999). Given that there are still unsurveyed sandy beaches away from the Pan-American Highway, the total is perhaps likely to fall in the range of 1,000-2,499 individuals.

Population Trend:

Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It breeds either on broad sandy beaches and dunes (100 - 200 m from the high tide mark) associated with wetlands⁷, or in desert plains 1-3 km inland^7,8,9. The shallow waters of wetlands are thought to offer optimal conditions for foraging, but within and outside the breeding season¹⁵. Egg-laying is asynchronous both within and between pairs, and spread from August to February^1,8,9. Post-breeding dispersal occurs from April to July to unknown areas (probably offshore)¹⁰. Clutch size is one or two eggs, but usually only one chick fledges^1,8,9. It nests in small groups (3 -25 nests) in loose aggregations, with inter-nest distances usually >100 m^1,9. Eggs and chicks are well camouflaged with the bare ground. It generally forages in inshore areas, but occasionally seen 10-70 km offshore¹⁰. Main prey include anchovies (Engraulis ringens), South Pacific sauris (Scomberesox saurus scombroides)⁸, silversides (Odonthestes regia regia) and Mote sculpins (Normanychtis crockeri)⁷.
Systems:	Terrestrial; Marine

Habitat and Ecology:

It breeds either on broad sandy beaches and dunes (100 - 200 m from the high tide mark) associated with wetlands⁷, or in desert plains 1-3 km inland^7,8,9. The shallow waters of wetlands are thought to offer optimal conditions for foraging, but within and outside the breeding season¹⁵. Egg-laying is asynchronous both within and between pairs, and spread from August to February^1,8,9. Post-breeding dispersal occurs from April to July to unknown areas (probably offshore)¹⁰. Clutch size is one or two eggs, but usually only one chick fledges^1,8,9. It nests in small groups (3 -25 nests) in loose aggregations, with inter-nest distances usually >100 m^1,9. Eggs and chicks are well camouflaged with the bare ground. It generally forages in inshore areas, but occasionally seen 10-70 km offshore¹⁰. Main prey include anchovies (Engraulis ringens), South Pacific sauris (Scomberesox saurus scombroides)⁸, silversides (Odonthestes regia regia) and Mote sculpins (Normanychtis crockeri)⁷.

Systems:

Terrestrial; Marine

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	It undoubtedly suffered from the 1972 collapse of anchoveta Engraulis sp. stocks (which have not subsequently recovered)^11,12. The principle threat to this species is the destruction of breeding habitat, through building of shanty towns, summer homes (as at Puerto Viejo), road constructions and through human activities such as driving 4x4 vehicles on the beaches. Off-road vehicles have also led to increased disturbance in previously inaccessible areas. Other threats include wetland pollution and water use for irrigation (at Paraiso and Mejia), conversion of desert plains into agricultural land (at Punta Literas-Pativilca), management of wetland water levels (at Ite) and oil exploration near tern areas (at San Pedro de Vice)¹⁵. In Chile, risks include the building of port facilities at Mejillones (which would affect at least 200 birds), off-road driving at Rio Loa and the construction of coastal highways throughout the north³. Foxes (Pseudalopex spp.) and aerial raptors are considered main predators of Peruvian Terns^7,8,9.

Major Threat(s):

It undoubtedly suffered from the 1972 collapse of anchoveta Engraulis sp. stocks (which have not subsequently recovered)^11,12. The principle threat to this species is the destruction of breeding habitat, through building of shanty towns, summer homes (as at Puerto Viejo), road constructions and through human activities such as driving 4x4 vehicles on the beaches. Off-road vehicles have also led to increased disturbance in previously inaccessible areas. Other threats include wetland pollution and water use for irrigation (at Paraiso and Mejia), conversion of desert plains into agricultural land (at Punta Literas-Pativilca), management of wetland water levels (at Ite) and oil exploration near tern areas (at San Pedro de Vice)¹⁵. In Chile, risks include the building of port facilities at Mejillones (which would affect at least 200 birds), off-road driving at Rio Loa and the construction of coastal highways throughout the north³. Foxes (Pseudalopex spp.) and aerial raptors are considered main predators of Peruvian Terns^7,8,9.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway In Chile, CONAMA (2006) has recognized the species as threatened with extinction. Conservation Actions Proposed Conduct searches for colonies in previously unsurveyed areas or in areas that need confirmation of breeding¹³. Monitor known colonies to assess trends. Restore abandoned colonies using decoys and playbacks. Uplist the conservation status in Peru from Vulnerable to Endangered and include monthly evaluations for the presence of terns in any project for the construction of roads or other facilities in coastal desert plains (up to 5 km inland). Protect known colonies from habitat destruction, disturbance and pollution.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
In Chile, CONAMA (2006) has recognized the species as threatened with extinction.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct searches for colonies in previously unsurveyed areas or in areas that need confirmation of breeding¹³. Monitor known colonies to assess trends. Restore abandoned colonies using decoys and playbacks. Uplist the conservation status in Peru from Vulnerable to Endangered and include monthly evaluations for the presence of terns in any project for the construction of roads or other facilities in coastal desert plains (up to 5 km inland). Protect known colonies from habitat destruction, disturbance and pollution.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2010. Sterna lorata. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 04 February 2012.
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