An Australian Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon macrotarsa taking an adult Central Bearded Dragon Pogona vitticeps

Abstract

The diet of the Australian Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon macrotarsa mainly consists of terrestrial animals including invertebrates, rodents, frogs and lizards. This note describes an observation, at Peery Lake in the Paroo–Darling National Park, New South Wales, on 15 July 2020, of an Australian Gull-billed Tern carrying an adult Central Bearded Dragon Pogona vitticeps. Lizards (including dragons) are known to be major prey items for the species in inland Australia, and the current observation represents predation on a particularly large prey item.