The rarest terns (Sterna and Onychoprion) in the western Mediterranean: a bibliographic synthesis

摘要

The rarest terns (Sterna and Onychoprion) in the western Mediterranean: a bibliographic synthesis. Seven Sternidae species were recorded in the Western Mediterranean basin from the 19(th) century to 2005. This synthesis presents migration and wintering dates and also rare breeding records, which occurred for only two of them, very rarely for the Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii and more regularly, but very locally, the Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis. The possible origin and main access routes for visiting individuals or groups are suggested (sea-straits, rivers and terrestrial flyways), but in the case of some doubtful data, and perhaps also in some other cases, birds may have been assisted. A list of references for all Mediterranean terns is given.