On August 11, a rare white tern was observed at Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge in St. Croix. This was the second recorded sighting of this species in the West Indies. Jennifer Valiulis, executive director of the St. Croix Environmental Association, initially thought the bird was a little tern, but later determined that the markings were incorrect.
The bird was larger, all white, and had striking black eyes. Ornithologists confirmed that it was a white tern, a species found mainly in the Pacific around Hawaii and rarely seen in the southern Atlantic. The first recorded sighting of a white tern in the West Indies was in June 2010 in San Salvador in the Bahamas.
The West Indies are considered a biodiversity hotspot and are home to over 700 species of birds, including 180 species endemic to the region. They serve as an important stopover for migratory birds. More than 180 species winter here or rest here before continuing their journey to South America.
Dr. Rhiannon Austin, a seabird specialist based in the Turks and Caicos Islands, explained that the bird may have been displaced by a storm or strong winds, a phenomenon known as “vagrancy,” where birds appear far outside their normal range. Dr. Lisa Sorenson, executive director of BirdsCaribbean, stressed the urgent need to protect diverse and resilient habitats as climate change continues to disrupt ecosystems worldwide.
Jennifer’s experience is a reminder to appreciate nature, trust your instincts and document unusual sightings. She plans to continue searching for the rare bird, but the storm may have moved it to another island. Birders are encouraged to keep an eye out for an all-white tern with a pointed black bill.
