Sooty terns are easily disturbed by human activity, and repeated disturbance may result in permanent abandonment. Chicks are shaded by parents during hot hours and brooded only when cool. Chicks are fed every 16 hours with regurgitated food. Parents locate chicks through vocalizations, and will feed only their own. Fledging occurs at about eight weeks.
Offspring continue to be fed by parents for several weeks after fledging.