Gulls, Terns

Least Tern, Sternula antillarum

Family Laridae (Gulls, Terns)

Size: 9"

Season: Summer

Habitat: Sandy coastal shores

The least tern is the smallest North American tern and the only tern with a yellow bill and legs. It has a black cap and white forehead patch and is pale gray above and white below. The tail is forked, and the bill is tipped with black. Nonbreeding adults have a dark bill and increased white on the front of the cap. In flight the wings are relatively narrow and there is a black bar on the outer primaries. Least terns often hover over the water before plunge-diving to catch small fish. They also pick worms and insects from the ground. This sensitive bird was once threatened by development of its coastal, sandy breeding grounds. The breeding adult is illustrated.