The Black-naped Tern is a small to medium-sized slim looking tern species, with a long fork tail, distributed mainly in Tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is distinctive for its white plumage except with a black band from the eyes, which continues in broadening to the nape.
It is a common nesting tern along all the small islet and barren rocky island of Malaysia.
It is a fairly common resident for Penang state, but in small numbers of about 5-10 pairs nesting under the pier and those rock embankment under the first Penang Bridge.
At Teluk Air Tawar – Kuala Muda: a resident on the area’s bird list. It was not recorded during the MNS survey of October 2024 to March 2026. See When to see shorebirds at Teluk Air Tawar – Kuala Muda.
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