Birds & little joys · Published 8 November 2026

This week’s wildlife curiosity: the Inca tern’s white moustache

Two young Inca terns have joined WWT Slimbridge, bringing a striking South American seabird into the spotlight.

WWT Slimbridge’s 2 November feature introduced a pair of young Inca terns that joined its WoW Aviary earlier this year. Their pale “moustache” feathers are still grey; adults develop white curls, red bills and red legs.

The species normally lives along the Pacific coasts of Peru, Chile and Ecuador. WWT explains that these terns dive for small fish and are vocal in their nesting colonies. Its feature is a species introduction, not a report of chicks newly hatched at Slimbridge.

Our photograph shows an adult Inca tern at Bristol Zoo in an earlier year, not either of the Slimbridge birds. If you enjoy seabirds, the related puffin mugs below are independent catalogue designs about a different species; they are not WWT merchandise.

Source: WWT Slimbridge, published 2 November 2026. Our perspective and gift suggestions are separate from the source reporting.