27 Inca Tern Facts: The Bird With a Mustache (Larosterna inca)

19. What is the Inca tern’s call?
The call of the Inca tern has been described as a “cat-like meow.”

But, if you ever have a chance to listen to it, you may agree with me that it sounds like an angry cat or a cat with a hoarse voice.



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20. Are Inca terns loud?
Yes, their angry-cat meow sounds can be loud. These birds hang out together in large colonies, so you can imagine what a loud chorus they make.

They are especially noisy during the courtship period and when marking their territories.



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21. Do Inca terns carry disease?
Inca terns can carry diseases such as avian malaria and avian influenza. Their chances of becoming infected with bird flu increase when they share environments with various waterfowl.

Thankfully, researchers often monitor the spread of bird diseases to not only protect the birds but humans as well.

22. Where does the Inca tern live?
These colorful seabirds live in South America along the Pacific coasts of Chile and Peru.

They especially are found nearby the chilly waters of the Humboldt Current, which is home to the world’s “most productive marine ecosystem” which is the equivalent of a smorgasbord for the Inca terns.