Common Fairy-Tern / Chunge'
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Common Fairy-Tern / Chunge'
Gygis alba
Native Seabird
The White Tern, or Common Fairy-Tern, known locally as "chunge' ", is one of Guam's familiar seabirds. It can be seen hovering over the reef, diving down to eat small fish or squid. Fishermen like this bird because it often leads them to schools of tuna and måhimåhi.
Chunge' do not build a nest; instead, they lay a single egg on a bare tree branch. The female sits on the egg while the male hunts for fish. The male feeds the female until the egg hatches. The tiny fuzzy chick has big feet to grab the branch tightly. Its feathers are spotted with various shades of brown to match the branches. Both parents bring small fish in their bill to help the chick grow quickly. Chunge' keep the same mates throughout their lives.
If the chick falls to the ground, the parents will try to feed and protect it. Storms and hungry predators make life hard for the chunge'. If a person comes too close to the baby, the parents may fly down and peck him on the head.
If a chunge' gets thirsty while fishing, it can dip down and drink seawater. Seabirds' bodies are able to get rid of extra salt that would kill most other animals.
Predation by the brown tree snake has nearly eliminated the chunge' population on the main island of Guam; however, a healthy population of several hundred birds can still be found on Cocos Island.
Guam Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, 9/27/2005
