Least Tern

Least Tern, first summer; South Padre Is., Texas, June.

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Least Tern, 1st year (Basic I plumage)

Least Tern chick; Lido Key, FL.

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

The smallest of American Terns, the Least Tern is found nesting on sandy beaches along the southern coasts of the United States and up the major river systems far into the interior of the continent.

Description

Small tern. During breeding, black cap ending at white forehead. Short white eyestripe. Bill yellow with black tip. Back light gray. Underside white. Black leading edge to wing. In nonbreeding plumage has black eyestripe extending to back of head, white top of head, and black bill.

• Size: 21-23 cm (8-9 in)
• Wingspan: 48-53 cm (19-21 in)
• Weight: 30-45 g (1.06-1.59 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes look alike.

Sound

Alarm call a sharp "zwreep." Also a high-pitched "kee-zink, kee-zink."

Conservation Status

Although widespread and common in places, its favored nesting habitat is prized for human recreation, residential development, and alteration by water diversion, which interfere with successful nesting in many areas. It is classified as "Threatened," "Endangered," or "species of concern" for most states because of loss of nesting habitat. Interior Population federally listed as "Endangered" in 1985.

Other Names

Petite Sterne (French)
Charrán mínimo, Golondrinita marina, Gallito (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• The Least Tern prefers sandy beaches for nesting, but it will use a flat gravel roof of a building. On sunny days the hot tar showing through the gravel can burn the feet of chicks or become stuck in their down.

Sources used to construct this page:

Thompson, B. C., J. A. Jackson, J. Burger, L. A. Hill, E. M. Kirsch, and J. L. Atwood. 1997. Least Tern (Sterna antillarum). In The Birds of North America, No. 290 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, and The American Ornithologists? Union, Washington, D.C.