PAPIAMENTU

Koraal Tabak Curaçao | Breeding Season: April – August

Who is this bird?
The Least Tern (Sternula antillarum antillarum) is the Caribbean's own seabird and one of the very few species protected by law on Curaçao. This tiny bird dives like a torpedo, flies hundreds of kilometers, and raises its family right here on our northern coastline. This happens every year.

Breeding season: from April to August, step by step

	April: Courtship During these days, the males show off with fish gifts and give fancy aerial displays to win over a female. Once paired, they court and stay together for the entire season.
	Late April: Egg Laying The nest is a simple scrape in bare sand or limestone. 1–2 speckled eggs are laid, perfectly camouflaged against the ground. Easy to miss, impossible to replace.
	May - June: Hatching Eggs hatch after 19–25 days. Both parents take turns incubating and bringing small fish to the chicks. After just 2 days, chicks leave the nest to shelter from the sun behind rocks.
	July - August: First Flight At around 3 weeks old, chicks take their first flight. When the chicks are strong enough, they all move to their wintering areas in northern South America or the southern coast of the US. They are back the following year for the next breeding season.

Why they need our help

Five years of monitoring at Koraal Tabak showed the colony faces real and serious threats. This is mostly from our animals and us as inhabitants.

• Feral cats (the biggest threat): Camera traps caught cats eating eggs and adult birds at multiple nests. Wings left behind are a dead giveaway.
• Dogs off-leash: Even without attacking, their presence at night stresses breeding pairs.
• Trampling: The eggs look like pebbles. Hikers, cyclists, and quads crush them without ever knowing.
• Disturbance = dead eggs: When people linger too long near a nest, parents can't shade the eggs. Overheated eggs don't hatch.

Simple rules with big impact

• The red-zone area (check the map) is OFF-LIMITS from April to August for all unauthorised visitors. No exceptions.
• Dogs must be on a leash and under supervision at all times in the Koraal Tabak conservation area.
• Spot a nesting tern outside the fence? Keep your distance and keep walking. Don't stop and stare.
• No quads, bikes, or vehicles should be near the nesting strip during breeding season.
• Harming or disturbing these birds is prohibited by law. The Least Tern is legally protected on Curaçao.
• Love to observe? Keep a distance and use binoculars. Let's protect these birds so they can raise their family in peace.

A sanctuary built just for them

An electric-fenced sanctuary on the northwest side of Koraal Tabak now protects the colony from cats, dogs, and rats. It was established after 5 years of monitoring showed the colony was under serious threat.