Guide to North American Birds

 Find a Bird

Breeding adult. Photo: John Boyle/Flickr (CC BY NC 2.0)

A widespread seabird of the tropics and subtropics. Sometimes common over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, but seldom seen from land in North America except after hurricanes. A handful of pairs have nested in southern Florida since 1987. Very light and buoyant in its flight. Almost never seen resting on ocean; birds at sea may perch on driftwood or floating debris.
Conservation status Widespread and fairly common in tropical seas.
Family Gulls and Terns
Habitat Warm oceans. Spends most of year at sea, over warm waters, generally in offshore waters rather than far out in mid-ocean. In Florida waters often forages along weed lines on landward side of Gulf Stream, so may be found closer to shore than Sooty Tern. Nests on islands with areas of rock rubble, limestone caves, bushes, or other shelter.
A widespread seabird of the tropics and subtropics. Sometimes common over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, but seldom seen from land in North America except after hurricanes. A handful of pairs have nested in southern Florida since 1987. Very light and buoyant in its flight. Almost never seen resting on ocean; birds at sea may perch on driftwood or floating debris.

Photo Gallery

Feeding Behavior

Forages mostly by flying low, hovering, and dipping down to take items from surface of water; seldom plunge-dives into water. May concentrate where schools of predatory fish are chasing smaller fish to surface. May sometimes feed at night.


Eggs

One. Pale buff, spotted with dark brown or reddish-brown. Incubation is by both parents, 28-30 days. Young: May leave nest after a few days and hide in nearby cover. Both parents feed young, regurgitating small fish. Age at first flight about 55-63 days; may become independent about a month later.


Young

May leave nest after a few days and hide in nearby cover. Both parents feed young, regurgitating small fish. Age at first flight about 55-63 days; may become independent about a month later.

Diet

Mostly fish. Feeds mainly on small fish, also small squid, crustaceans, insects.


Nesting

Breeds in isolated pairs or in colonies, often with other terns. Florida nesters were associated with Roseate Terns. Courtship involves high flight by groups or pairs. Male may fly slowly and low over colony, carrying stick or fish, to be pursued by other birds. On ground, two birds bow, strut, turn in circles. Nest site is usually in sheltered spot, such as under ledge, among rock rubble, in small limestone cave, under shrub; sometimes on open ground. Nest is slight scrape in soil, with little or no lining added.

Illustration © David Allen Sibley.
Learn more about these drawings.

Text © Kenn Kaufman, adapted from
Lives of North American Birds

Migration

Movements of most populations at sea not well known. Present off southeastern states mainly in warmer months, with few records for mid-winter.

Download Our Bird Guide App

Migration

Movements of most populations at sea not well known. Present off southeastern states mainly in warmer months, with few records for mid-winter.

  • All Seasons - Common
  • All Seasons - Uncommon
  • Breeding - Common
  • Breeding - Uncommon
  • Winter - Common
  • Winter - Uncommon
  • Migration - Common
  • Migration - Uncommon

Songs and Calls

Usually silent; various high-pitched barking notes on breeding grounds.
Audio © Lang Elliott, Bob McGuire, Kevin Colver, Martyn Stewart and others.
Learn more about this sound collection.

Explore Similar Birds

White-winged Tern

Chlidonias leucopterus

Black Skimmer

Rynchops niger

Sooty Tern

Onychoprion fuscatus

These birds need your help

Stay abreast of Audubon

Our email newsletter shares the latest programs and initiatives.