This species lives and nests in colonies, parents within a colony defending their nesting territory against intruders. 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. The least, or little, tern (S. albifrons), under 25 cm (10 inches) long, is the smallest tern. 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. A group of these birds is called a "straightness… It breeds on sandy coasts and river sandbars in temperate to tropical regions worldwide except South America. Least Tern is a cute bird, with the black touch on the head reside in marine coastlines of Central and South America. Facts about Piping Plovers and Least Terns. Our smallest tern. These 8 to 9 inch birds have a black crown on their head, a snowy white underside and forehead, grayish back and wings, orange legs, and a yellow bill with a black tip. The slender body has a gray mantle and snowy white undersides. They have a yellow bill tipped in black. ft. single-family home is a bed, bath property. However, Least Terns in some parts of the east are now nesting successfully on gravel roofs near the coast. They will fly up into the air when alarmed, making an alarm call, and dive repeatedly at the intruder. That said, in the east in some areas near the coast these terns are now successfully nesting on gravel roofs. Least Tern It is a small tern, 22–24 cm long, with a wingspan of 50 cm, and weighing 39–52 g. The upper parts are a fairly uniform pale gray, and the underparts white. The call of the least tern is a high-pitched “zeep", "zreep,” or “kit.” Least terns prefer a sandy beach for nesting, but will use a building’s flat gravel roof. The tapered, pointed wings, back, and forked tail are grayish in color. According to the New Mexico Avian Conservation Partners resource, the breeding population of the Least tern in North America numbers 60,000-100,000 and the population in New Mexico consists of only several breeding pairs. Cool Facts. When they are a few days old, they move nearby to short vegetation. Wingbeats are uniquely rapid and the black leading edge of the outer wing is con… The population of the Least Tern is estimated at around 70,000 individual birds. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this. It is 21-23 cm (about 8¼ to 9 inches) long. The California least tern, Sternula antillarum browni, is a subspecies of least tern that breeds primarily in bays of the Pacific Ocean within a very limited range of Southern California, in San Francisco Bay and in northern regions of Mexico. Least Tern are widespread and common in places, but its favored nesting habitat is prized for human recreation, residential development, and alteration by water diversion, which interfere with successful nesting in many areas. Least terns are widespread and are common in places, but the nesting habit they prefer is sought after for residential development, human recreation, and alteration by the diversion of water, which interferes with nesting in many areas. True Facts about the Interior Least Tern Adam Goss. Species name: Sternula antillarum athalassos. Overall, currently Least terns are classified as Least Concern (LC), however, their numbers today are decreasing. Nests are shallow ‘scrapes’ in the sand, soil or gravel, and sometimes under low bushes. Forage primarily for small (2-9 cm), non-spiny fish but also shrimp and other invertebrates. The Life of a Baby Tern - - Duration: 33:00. Least terns fly over water to forage, hovering then plunging to catch prey that are just below the water's surface. The Least Tern has a range of nearly half a million square kilometers. Least Tern Fact Sheet – p. 2 . It breeds on sandy coasts and river sandbars in temperate to tropical regions worldwide except South America. Its body is slate grey above and white below, with the pointed wings and forked tail characteristic of most terns. It has black stripes running from the cap across the eyes to the beak. Their white forehead contrasting with a black cap is easily seen in flight. The Least tern, as its name suggests, is the smallest of the Americas’ terns. Range: areas along the Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Red, and Rio Grande river systems. 147 Least Tern Dr , Pass Christian, MS 39571-4844 is currently not for sale. … Interior least tern – (BIRD-gull_tern) See facts . Formerly, sandy ocean beaches were regularly used, but increased human activity has made most beaches uninhabitable. Over the course of a few days, the males will try to impress their potential mates by flashing or waving fishes, (and other attention-grabbing behaviors), before the terns pair off and make their way higher up the beach. R. Basin), Atlantic Gulf Coasts. But on sunny days hot tar amongst the gravel can burn chicks’ feet or get stuck in their down. Groups of them often hover near the surface of the water with their quick, flickering wing beats, catching small fish and invertebrates. During extremely hot weather, a parent tern may soak its belly in water and then drip the cooling water onto their eggs or chicks. Least Terns are the smallest North American terns. Animal type: BIRD. More information Accept. The least tern (Sternula antillarum) is a species of tern that breeds in North America and locally in northern South America. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. The common tern is a medium-sized tern found in the majority of the UK. When a CA Least Tern is flying, you can see a black wedge on the end of its wings. The bill and feet are yellow. Both males and females construct several scrapes, which are formed by sitting on the substrate and kicking their feet while rotating their bodies. For further information visit www.aboutcookies.org or www.allaboutcookies.org. The parents stay with the young until autumn migration. Plovers and terns lay their eggs directly on the sand. On sunny days the hot tar showing through the gravel can burn the feet of chicks or become stuck in their down. Although preferring sandy beaches for their nests, they will occasionally use a flat, gravel-covered rooftop instead. First-summer birds are distinguishable by their dark bills and legs, with a black line though the eye, and a dark shoulder bar. The Least Tern is the smallest member of the gull and tern family. Please allow the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program to continue to conserve the biodiversity of Massachusetts with a contribution for Their winter home is not known, but probably includes coastal areas of Central and South America. The sq. The pointed bill is yellow with a black tip during the breeding season but changes to a dusky gray, blackish, or dull yellow-orange color outside of full Definitive Alternate (adult breeding) plumage. Download Least tern images and photos. One to three eggs are laid, of a buff or pale green color with dark blotches. It is closely related to, and was formerly often considered conspecific with, the little tern of the Old World. The nest is a hollow scrape, sometimes located among stones. Interior least terns are found along rivers across the Great Plains and the Lower Mississippi Valley, according to the U.S. Least terns breed in North America, as well as locally in the north of South America. These birds are serially monogamous, pairs staying together for the entirety of the breeding season. A Species of Greatest Conservation Need in the Massachusetts State Wildlife Action Plan . Least Tern is classified as threatened, endangered, or as a species of concern for most states because of loss of nesting habitat, and the interior population has been federally listed as endangered since 1985. The size of nesting areas is highly dependent on water levels. Underparts are white. The interior population, which once inhabited all the major river systems in the middle of the country, evolved to take advantage of constantly changing rivers and fish concentrated in pools by retreating summer flows. Usually hovers before plunging into water for tiny prey; does more hovering than most terns. Colonies of up to 500 seasonally monogamous pairs nest in open areas near fresh or salt water such as on exposed salt or mudflats, river sandbars, or sandy beaches. 2. Facts Summary: The Least Tern (Sterna antillarum) is a species of concern belonging in the species group "birds" and found in the following area(s): Bahamas, Central America (winters), Greater and Lesser Antilles, Mexico, Northern South America, USA (California, including the Miss. April to August is the main period for breeding and birds usually remain within the breeding territory between 3 and 5 months. They also plunge-dive, as do other terns, hovering above their prey and then suddenly dropping into the sea. They winter mainly along northern South America’s coast, including Brazil to Colombia. They may feed near to the shore of the open ocean - particularly near bay mouths or lagoons. They start to fly when they are just under 3 weeks old, and may stay with their parents for as long as 3 months. This bird is native to South America, the Caribbean, North America and Central America. Nests are just shallow scrapes in open sand, pebbles or soil, sometimes lined with grasses or pebbles. Often seen flying low over the water, with quick deep wingbeats and shrill cries. The birds breed in many areas of the United States and winter mainly along the coast of northern South America, including the coasts of Brazil to Colombia. You can set your browser not to accept cookies and the above websites tell you how to remove cookies from your browser. At 2 days of age, the young are capable of leaving the nest. The population of the Least Tern is estimated at around 70,000 individual birds. Populations are endangered in lots of areas due to human impacts on nesting areas, particularly competitors to be used for seashores. Animals. Least Tern on The IUCN Red List site -, http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22694673/0, The call of the least tern is a high-pitched “zeep", "zreep,” or “kit.”. This bird is native to South America, the Caribbean, North America and Central America. Name of animal-plant: Interior least tern. Other close relatives include … Populations are endangered in many areas because of human impacts on nesting areas, especially competition for use of beaches. The eggs (and chicks) are sand-colored, and can can be extremely difficult to see. As its name implies, the Least Tern is the smallest of the terns of the Americas; species like the Inca Tern are strikingly different. Within two days of nest construction, two or three eggs colored similarly to the ground (beige to light olive-brown hues, with brown or black splotches) are laid. The young experience their first flight at about 20 days of age. The interior population of least tern was listed as endangered in 1985. Both sexes are similar; the female is smaller than the male. Least terns prefer a sandy beach for nesting, but will use a building’s flat gravel roof. Tuesday January 5th, 2016. Diet: Carnivore - small fish some invertebrates, Size: 22-24cm long, with a wingspan of 50cm. As its name implies, the least tern is the smallest of North American terns. The Least Tern (Sterna antillarum) is a species of concern belonging in the species group "birds" and found in the following area(s): Bahamas, Central America (winters), Greater and Lesser Antilles, Mexico, Northern South America, USA (California, including the Miss. They favor open habitat and are typically found near any bodies of water, such as sea coasts, gravel and shell and beaches, islands, bays, lakes, lagoons, estuaries, unobstructed river channels, and salt flats that are associated with reservoirs and rivers. Log in, By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Over 85 Least tern pictures to choose from, with no signup needed. Explore Birds Bats Bees 2,577 views. Download in under 30 seconds. Sometimes they will dip down to pick up prey from the surface of the water or from land, and they may catch insects on the wing. Arctic terns are so lightweight—with small bodies, short legs, and narrow wings—that they can glide through the skies on a breeze. Least terns are carnivores, they mostly eat small fish, like smelt, anchovy, surfperch and silversides (ray-finned fish), and also crabs, shrimp, barnacles, krill and some insects. Top 10 Things to Consider Before Buying a Dog, Top 10 Ways to Make your Garden more Wildlife Friendly, Top 10 Things to Think about Before Buying Fish, Top 10 Ways to be an Eco-Friendly Traveller. Males and … The least tern usually chooses its nesting location in an open expanse of light-colored sand, dirt, or dried mud beside a lagoon or an estuary. A group of these birds is called a "straightness" of terns. The downy chicks hatch with their eyes open and can walk soon after. Populations of this bird are endangered in many regions due to human impact on nesting areas, particularly competition for the use of beaches. View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow. Populations along the East and West coasts are not endangered. The color of the Least tern’s bill, when it is ready to breed, is yellow and has a black tip, changing to a dull yellow-orange or a dusky gray or blackish at other times. They have even been known to nest on graveled rooftops! The defense behavior of adult Least terns when an intruder enters the nesting area, has earned them the name of “little striker.” They will dive bomb and defecate on intruders. During excessively hot weather, parents may soak their bellies in water and drip it onto the eggs, or chicks, as a method of cooling them. Both parents build nests, take part in incubating the eggs over a period of 20-22 days, and look after the young. The tapered, pointed wings, back, and forked tail are grayish in color. Least terns travel four miles or more (6+ km) from their colony seeking the small fish that from a large part of their diet. The least, or little, tern (S. albifrons), under 25 cm (10 inches) long, is the smallest tern. The sooty tern (S. fuscata), about 40 cm (16 inches) long, has a white … This can be a problem on hot sunny days if there is exposed tar that can literally burn the feet of chicks or entrap them. The Least Tern has a range of nearly half a million square kilometers. But on sunny days hot tar amongst the gravel can burn chicks’ feet or get stuck in their down. Fun Facts for Kids. Amazing Facts About the Least Tern. Fish and Wildlife Service. In recent years, terns have nested on mud and sand flats away from the ocean or on man-made landfills. Identification: The least tern is a small, gull-like bird with long, pointed wings and a forked tail. Loading... Unsubscribe from Adam Goss? Least Terns prefer to nest on sandy beaches, but will sometimes use flat gravel roofs. The slender body has a gray mantle and snowy white undersides. It is white below and gray above, with black wing tips and a black cap with a white forehead. Many spend their whole first year in their wintering area. During the late summer, before migrating south, adults and young congregate at prime fishing sites along waterways, then move south in small, loose groups which follow major rivers and coasts, feeding along the way. 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. These contrast with a white forehead. 33:00 . The Least Tern prefers sandy beaches for nesting, but it will use a flat gravel roof of a building. It is identified in spring and summer by a white forehead contrasting with a black crown and nape. This species for most states in North America is classified as either threatened, endangered, or of concern, due to loss of nesting habitat, the interior population having been federally listed since 1985 as endangered. Usually nest in small colonies (less than 20 nests) with nests spaced far apart. Habitat: Seacoasts, beaches, bays, estuaries, lagoons, lakes and rivers. Least Terns eat mainly fish, although invertebrates such as crustaceans and insects are also taken. CA Least Terns have short, forked tails. Appearance: The least tern is the smallest tern found in North America. Male least terns engage in a unique courtship ritual which involves a male offering a female food in the hope of her choosing him as a mate. These graceful birds are characterised by their silver-grey upperparts, white underparts, black cap and red bill, as well as long tails that have earned them the nickname ‘sea-swallow’. The bill and feet are yellow. Fun Facts: The oldest known Least Tern in the wild was 24 years old. Obsolete English Names: Brown's tern. Their bills and legs are orange. The yellow legs of mature birds are relatively short, with webbed to partially webbed feet. They characteristically hover over the water before diving to catch their prey. The sooty tern (S. fuscata), about 40 cm (16 inches) long, has… Adults average 8 to 10 inches in length, with a 20 inch wingspan. Lots of great information about these birds is available in our Piping Plover & Least Tern Information Sheet (pdf). The Least Tern is migratory, wintering in Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America. Other upper parts are gray. Their narrow, pointed wings make them streamlined flyers. Usually leaving breeding areas in late summer or early autumn, birds winter in Central and South America, though rarely, some birds may remain on the Pacific and Gulf shores. Its wingspan is 48-53 cm (about 19 to 21 inc… Least Tern Species Description Identification At 8 –9 inches in length and slightly smaller than an American robin, the least tern is the smallest tern of North America. They fish in shallow water, very close to shore, hovering longer than other terns and plunging to the surface, without submerging, to capture their prey. Preferred HabitatLeast Terns use sparsely vegetated sandbars or shoreline salt flats of lakes along the Missouri River System in North Dakota. Least terns begin their nesting season close to the foreshore, or the strip of sand in between the high and low tide lines. During the breeding season, typically they will forage close to the location of their nesting area. This home was built in and last sold on for. 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