🐦
Least Tern
Sternula antillarum
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Least Concern
Wingspan
33.0 cm
Weight
46.75 g
Family
Laridae
Order
Charadriiformes
About
Least Tern is North America's smallest tern, 22–24 cm, breeding on sandy beaches and river sandbars from the Atlantic coast to the interior. Endangered (interior subspecies). Yellow bill, white forehead, grey upperparts. Hovers and plunge-dives for small fish in coastal and riverine habitats.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 33.0 cm | 13.0 in |
| Weight | 46.75 g | 1.65 oz |
Habitat & Range
Conservation Status
Least Concern
IUCN Red List
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: SC. Incubation: 19-25 days. Fledging: 21 days.
Clutch Size
1-3
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes (Shorebirds & Gulls) |
| Family | Laridae (Gulls & Terns) |
| Genus | Sternula |
| Species | Sternula antillarum |
Distribution
Least Tern has been recorded in 4 countries.
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Present
Not recorded
countries highlighted
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Least Tern endangered?
The Least Tern has a conservation status of Least Concern.
How does the Least Tern nest?
Nest type: SC. Incubation: 19-25 days. Fledging: 21 days.
How big is the Least Tern?
The Least Tern has a wingspan of 33.0 cm, weight of 46.75 g.
What order and family does the Least Tern belong to?
The Least Tern (Sternula antillarum) belongs to the order Charadriiformes and the family Laridae.
Similar Birds
Other species in the Laridae family
African Skimmer
Rynchops flavirostris
Least Concern
Aleutian Tern
Onychoprion aleuticus
Vulnerable
Andean Gull
Larus serranus
Least Concern
Antarctic Tern
Sterna vittata
Least Concern
Arctic Herring Gull
Larus smithsonianus
Least Concern
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaea
Least Concern
Armenian Gull
Larus armenicus
Least Concern
Atlantic White Tern
Gygis alba
Least Concern