Diet of Breeding Caspian Terns Hydroprogne caspia at Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania, is Diverse and Differs Between an Offshore and an Inshore Site

A study of Caspian Terns (Hydroprogne caspia) at Banc d'Arguin National Park, Mauritania, revealed distinct dietary differences between offshore and inshore breeding colonies. While the diet at the offshore Arel colony was dominated by pelagic species like Hemiramphidae, the inshore Zira colony primarily consumed bentho-pelagic prey such as Cichlids. The research, conducted over four breeding seasons (2015–2018), also noted that breeding at Arel commenced about a month later than at Zira. Diet composition was analyzed through fish parts identified in pellets collected near nests during the 2016 breeding season, though nearly half of the fish remains could not be identified. The findings suggest potential temporal and spatial variations in dietary preferences among Caspian Terns, warranting further investigation across multiple years to confirm these patterns.

Amarejeyat, A., Camara, M. S., Ahmed Mahmoud, L. Y., Qninba, A., El Agbani, M. A., De Goeij, P., Camphuysen, K. (C. J. )., & Piersma, T. (2025). Diet of Breeding Caspian Terns Hydroprogne caspia at Banc d’Arguin, Mauritania, is Diverse and Differs Between an Offshore and an Inshore Site. Waterbirds, 47(4), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1675/063.047.0404