The Inca tern is unmistakable with its black plumage, white feathery tufts on the sides of its head, the white-rimmed wing feathers and its bright red beak and feet. The Inca tern is endemic to its habitat area on the west coast of South America along the Humboldt Current. The terns breed in rocky caves which is not typical tern behaviour; they usually lay their eggs on rocky protrusions and the like.

The Inca terns follow fishing vessels to get fish offal. Also, they will quickly discover sea lions hunting and fish near them.