At a Glance

A small, graceful marsh tern, black and silver in breeding plumage. In its choice of surroundings, it leads a double life: in North America in summer it is a typical bird of freshwater marshes, but in winter it becomes a seabird along tropical coasts. Vulnerable to loss of marsh habitat, its numbers have decreased in many areas during recent decades.
Category
Gull-like Birds, Gulls and Terns
Conservation
Low Concern
Habitat
Coasts and Shorelines, Freshwater Wetlands, Lakes, Ponds, and Rivers, Saltwater Wetlands
Region
Alaska and The North, California, Eastern Canada, Florida, Great Lakes, Mid Atlantic, New England, Northwest, Plains, Rocky Mountains, Southeast, Southwest, Texas, Western Canada
Behavior
Direct Flight, Erratic, Undulating
Population
5.100.000

Range & Identification

Migration & Range Maps

Most apparently migrate north through interior of North America. In late summer, many move east to Atlantic Coast before turning south; those from farther west may move south to coasts of Mexico and continue southward offshore. Winters mostly along north and northwest coasts of South America.

Description

10" (25 cm). W. 24 (61 cm). Summer adult has head and body mostly black, wings and tail silvery gray. Immatures and winter adults less distinctive, mostly white below, but still darker on back than other small terns, with dark mark at shoulder. Adults molting out of breeding plumage in late summer look patchy black and white.
Size
About the size of a Crow, About the size of a Robin
Color
Black, Brown, Gray, White
Wing Shape
Broad, Pointed, Tapered
Tail Shape
Notched, Short, Square-tipped

Songs and Calls

Sharp kick; when disturbed, a shrill kreek.
Call Pattern
Flat, Simple
Call Type
Chatter, Chirp/Chip

Habitat

Fresh marshes, lakes; in migration, coastal waters. For nesting favors fresh waters with extensive marsh vegetation and open water, also sometimes in smaller marshes and wet meadows. In migration found on larger lakes and along coast. Winters in tropical coastal regions, mostly just offshore or around salt lagoons and estuaries.

Behavior

Eggs

2-4. Pale buff to olive, blotched with brown and black. Incubation is by both sexes, 21-22 days.

Young

Develop rapidly; after 2-3 days, may leave nest but remain in vegetation nearby. Capable of flight 19-25 days after hatching; may be fed by parents for up to two more weeks. One brood per year, sometimes two in south.

Feeding Behavior

Forages in flight, dipping to surface of water or shore to pick up items, sometimes pursuing flying insects in the air, seldom plunging into water after prey.

Diet

Mostly insects, fish. Diet on breeding grounds is mostly insects, also small fish, tadpoles, frogs, spiders, earthworms, crustaceans, leeches. In migration and winter at sea, eats mostly small fish, also some crustaceans and insects.

Nesting

Breeds in scattered colonies, often associated with Forster's Terns. Early in season, pairs or small groups ascend in spiraling high flight above colony, then glide down. Nest site is low in marsh, on floating mat of plant material, on old muskrat house or debris, or on ground close to water. Nest (built by both parents) may be substantial platform of marsh plants, or simple depression with a few bits of vegetation added, very close to water level; eggs often damp.

Climate Vulnerability

Conservation Status

North American population has declined sharply since the 1960s. Loss of nesting habitat owing to drainage of wetlands is one likely cause. Runoff of farm chemicals into nesting marshes may affect hatching success. Loss of food supply on the wintering grounds, owing to local overfishing, may also be a factor.

Climate Map

Audubon’s scientists have used 140 million bird observations and sophisticated climate models to project how climate change will affect the range of the Black Tern. Learn even more in our Audubon’s Survival By Degrees project.

Climate Threats Facing the Black Tern

Choose a temperature scenario below to see which threats will affect this species as warming increases. The same climate change-driven threats that put birds at risk will affect other wildlife and people, too.

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