Sandwich Terns are seabirds found across the world’s oceans. Their conservation status varies in different parts of their range. Overall, Sandwich Terns are not currently considered globally endangered, but some populations are declining or at risk.
Sandwich Tern Basics
The Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis) is a medium-sized seabird with a black cap, shaggy crest, yellow-tipped black bill, white body, gray wings, and deeply forked tail. They are found along coasts worldwide and spend the winters in the tropics and subtropics. Sandwich Terns nest in large colonies on sandy or rocky beaches and islands. They lay 1-3 eggs in a scrape in the sand or rocks.
Range and Population
Sandwich Terns have an extremely large range across all oceans except the eastern Pacific. They breed on every continent except Antarctica and South America. Their total global population is estimated to be 510,000 to 1,300,000 mature individuals.
Some of the key populations and their estimated sizes are:
- Europe – 220,000 to 410,000 breeding pairs
- Africa – 50,000 to 200,000 breeding pairs
- Indian Ocean Islands – 10,000 to 100,000 breeding pairs
- North America – 11,000 to 14,000 breeding pairs
- Australia – 2,000 to 10,000 breeding pairs
Conservation Status
The global population of Sandwich Terns is very large and the species has an extremely large range. Therefore, Sandwich Terns are evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
However, the situation is mixed across their range:
- In Europe, Sandwich Tern populations are increasing and expanding their range in several countries. They are listed as Least Concern in Europe.
- In North America, numbers crashed in the late 19th century due to hunting but have rebounded more recently. They are not considered endangered.
- In Australia, the population is small but now stable after declines. They are listed as Near Threatened in Australia due to their small population size.
- In South Africa, numbers have declined by more than 50% in the past few decades. The African population is listed as Near Threatened due to rapid declines.
Threats
Some of the major threats facing Sandwich Terns include:
- Habitat loss – Human disturbance, development, and destruction of nesting beaches
- Invasive species – Predators like rats, foxes, cats, and other invasive species preying on eggs and chicks
- Pollution – Oil spills, marine plastic, chemical runoff can poison and entangle terns
- Climate change – Sea level rise, storms, and heat waves threaten nesting sites and food supply
- Fisheries impacts – Overfishing of prey species, bycatch in fishing gear
Protecting key breeding colonies and managing these threats is crucial for the conservation of more vulnerable Sandwich Tern populations, like those in Australia and South Africa.
Protection and Conservation Actions
Some conservation actions that benefit Sandwich Terns include:
- Protecting and managing breeding sites
- Controlling invasive species
- Reducing pollution
- Sustainable management of fisheries
- Public education programs
- Ecotourism management strategies
- Predator control
- Monitoring populations
Key breeding sites around the world have been designated as protected areas. For example, the Sandwich Tern colony at Sempach Lake in Switzerland holds 10% of Europe’s population and is fully protected.
The Future Outlook
Sandwich Terns remain widespread and abundant across much of their range. However, focused conservation efforts for declining populations are needed, especially in South Africa and Australia. With appropriate habitat protections and management of threats, the overall outlook for Sandwich Terns remains reasonably good.
Sandwich Terns are adaptable birds that utilize a wide range of coastal habitats for breeding. Their ability to nest in highly disturbed areas helps maintain stable populations in many regions. But human impacts on the marine environment remain a concern going forward.
Ongoing monitoring, sustainable fisheries management, and conservation of key breeding colonies will be important for ensuring Sandwich Terns do not become threatened on a global scale in the future.
Conclusion
In summary, Sandwich Terns are not currently endangered globally. Their large population and massive range earns them a status of Least Concern from the IUCN Red List. However, some regional populations, like those in South Africa and Australia, are Near Threatened or declining. The main threats facing Sandwich Terns include habitat loss, invasive species, pollution, climate change, and fisheries impacts. Their conservation requires protection of breeding colonies, managing invasive predators, reducing contamination, and sustainable management of marine habitats. With appropriate conservation measures, the overall outlook for Sandwich Terns remains relatively positive.