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Black Tern

Chlidonias niger

Least Concern
Wingspan
40.3 cm
Weight
73.15 g
Family
Laridae
Order
Charadriiformes

About

Black Tern, 22–24 cm, breeds on freshwater marshes of North America and Eurasia. Breeding plumage: sooty black body, grey wings. Insectivore and piscivore; buoyant, dipping flight over wetlands. Migratory; winters off West African coasts and in tropical America. Declining in Europe.

Physical Description

Measurement Value Imperial
Wingspan 40.3 cm 15.9 in
Weight 73.15 g 2.58 oz

Habitat & Range

Conservation Status

Least Concern
IUCN Red List

Behavior & Breeding

Nesting

Nest type: PL. Incubation: 20-23 days. Fledging: 22-25 days.

Clutch Size

2-3

Taxonomy

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Charadriiformes (Shorebirds & Gulls)
Family Laridae (Gulls & Terns)
Genus Chlidonias
Species Chlidonias niger

Distribution

Black Tern has been recorded in 8 countries.

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Present Not recorded
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countries highlighted

External Databases

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Black Tern endangered?
The Black Tern has a conservation status of Least Concern.
How does the Black Tern nest?
Nest type: PL. Incubation: 20-23 days. Fledging: 22-25 days.
How big is the Black Tern?
The Black Tern has a wingspan of 40.3 cm, weight of 73.15 g.
What order and family does the Black Tern belong to?
The Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) belongs to the order Charadriiformes and the family Laridae.

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