[2][1] It is found along the Pacific coasts of Chile, Ecuador and Perú,[3] and has appeared as a vagrant in Central America and Hawaii.

Its plumage is uniquely colorful, among terns; adults have a mostly dark, slate-gray body, with a paler throat and underwing coverts.

A white stripe extends back from the base of the bill and fans-out as long, satiny feathers along the side of the neck.

[3] On the biodiversity database iNaturalist, one 'research-grade' sighting (with photo) has been documented from the coast of Buenaventura, Colombia's Isla Cascajal, dated July 2023.

[7] The Inca tern nests on sea cliffs and guano islands, as well as manmade structures (such as ledges under piers) and abandoned barges.

[5] The Inca tern feeds primarily on small fish, such as anchoveta (Engraulis ringens), and also consumes planktonic crustaceans and offal or carrion in its diet.

Large flocks congregate around fishing boats and will also follow the feeding patterns of cormorants, sea lions, and whales and dolphins.

The Inca tern catches its prey mainly by plunge-diving, but also picks items from the surface while flying or floating on the water.