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What is a Little Tern?

Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt

The little tern is a small migratory seabird. Slim and slight, the bird is white with a black head. The animal is a member of the Sternidae family and can be found in Asia, Europe, and North America.

At less than 10 inches(25 cm) long, the little tern is the smallest of the European terns. The birds feature long, pointed beaks, long angular wings, and tail feathers that elongate on the outer sides, creating a deeply forked appearance. Little terns are light gray to white, with black wing tips and caps. Several other types of birds are sometimes confused with the little tern. These include both Saunder's Tern and the Fairy Tern.

Veterinarian with a puppy
Veterinarian with a puppy

Tern beaks are sharp and feature a black tip. Tern chirps are very loud. They are identified by their unique creaking sound. The birds are considered a threatened species and face several threats. Some of these include flooding habitats, habitat destruction by human development, and commercial fishing. Limiting human contact with tern habitats and enforcing local laws and preventative measures, such as erecting protective fences, are some proposed solutions for managing the species.

Three subspecies of little tern exist. These include the albifrons, the guineae, and the sinensis. Each subspecies is known for its migratory patterns over different continents. During the winter months, the little tern may migrate to Australia, South America, or Africa.

Little terns typically build their nests on the ground, in gravelly areas or on islands in scattered colonies. Terns scrape a line in the gravel, then fill it with seaweed, seashell grit, or small rocks. The birds lay up to four eggs at a time. While guarding their eggs, little tern parents can become very aggressive. Even after the eggs have hatched, the birds will remain protective of their young, attacking any potential threats.

Breeding takes place for these birds during the spring and summer months. During mating season, the tern's beak and legs become a shade of yellow rather than their typical black. The black cap also extends during breeding, creating the appearance of an eye patch on the birds.

Fish make up the main source of the little tern's diet. The birds dramatically swoop down toward the water, plunge-diving for their catch. Like many other species of birds, little tern courtship involves feeding. Male terns present females with their catch in order to establish a partnership. Other foods that the birds enjoy include small crustaceans, mollusks, and insects.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Little Tern?

The Little Tern (Sternula albifrons) is a small seabird belonging to the family Laridae. It is characterized by its diminutive size, with a wingspan of about 21-24 inches, and its distinctive yellow bill with a black tip. These birds are migratory, breeding along coastlines and inland waterways in Europe and Asia, and wintering in Africa and the southern coasts of Asia and Australia.

Where can you find Little Terns?

Little Terns are widely distributed across the globe. During breeding season, they are commonly found along the sandy coasts, islands, and estuaries of Europe and Asia. After breeding, they migrate to warmer climates, with many wintering along the coasts of Africa, southern Asia, and parts of Australia, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

What do Little Terns eat?

Little Terns primarily feed on small fish, which they catch by performing spectacular dives into the water from a height. They also consume crustaceans and insects. Their diet varies depending on their habitat and the availability of prey, but their specialized hunting technique allows them to thrive in various coastal environments.

How do Little Terns reproduce?

Little Terns breed once a year, typically forming colonies on beaches or islands. They lay one to three eggs in a shallow scrape in the sand. Both parents share the responsibility of incubating the eggs for about three weeks, and after hatching, they continue to care for the chicks until they fledge around four weeks later.

Are Little Terns endangered?

Little Terns are currently listed as "Least Concern" by the IUCN, but their populations are facing threats from habitat loss, human disturbance, and predation. Conservation efforts are in place in many regions to protect their nesting sites and reduce disturbances during the critical breeding season to ensure their populations remain stable.

What conservation measures are being taken to protect Little Terns?

Conservation measures for Little Terns include protecting breeding sites, managing predators, and minimizing human disturbance. Organizations and volunteers often engage in creating artificial nesting sites, erecting signs and fences to keep people and pets away from nesting areas, and conducting monitoring programs to track population health and breeding success, as reported by various bird conservation groups.

Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt

A graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, Sara has a Master’s Degree in English, which she puts to use writing for AllThingsNature and several magazines, websites, and nonprofit organizations. She has published her own novella, and has other literary projects currently in progress. Sara’s varied interests have also led her to teach children in Spain, tutor college students, run CPR and first aid classes, and organize student retreats.

Learn more...
Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt

A graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, Sara has a Master’s Degree in English, which she puts to use writing for AllThingsNature and several magazines, websites, and nonprofit organizations. She has published her own novella, and has other literary projects currently in progress. Sara’s varied interests have also led her to teach children in Spain, tutor college students, run CPR and first aid classes, and organize student retreats.

Learn more...

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