Least Tern

Sternula antillarum

Also known as:Sterna antillarum

Explore this bird

Identification

Field notes

23 cm (9") Uncommon. Sandy beaches along coasts and major inland rivers. Smallest tern, Robin-sized. White forehead with a small black cap; orange-yellow bill with a tiny black tip; white underparts; gray mantle; long, slender wings with dark in tips; orange-yellow legs.

Winter adult similar but has more white on forehead.

In flight, rapid wing beats and distinctive black wedge on outer wings.

Song: call - a rapid series of kip notes, a high pitched "chir-ee-eep".

Details in the field

Photo gallery

4 photos

Hovering - Tigertail Beach, Marco Island, FL - April 16, 2012.

Credit: Andy Morffew

Credit: nebirdsplus

Fort de Soto, Florida, US - April 13, 2012

Credit: Len Blumin

Credit: Kenneth Cole Schneider

Watch and learn

Videos

2 videos

Nesting Least Terns

Credit: DrMeleagris

Least Tern with 4 eggs!

Credit: StPetersburgAudubon

Where it lives

Distribution maps

Source legend · original intervals

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Unshaded in source · does not imply absence

Generic and winter maps may use different intervals.

Bird Advisor Identification rules 1 variant 2 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

Least Tern

2 rules

Rule 1 13 criteria confidence 3

What colour were the LEGS or FEET ?: Yellow · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Unknown
What SHAPE was the TAIL ?: Forked · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What colour was the BILL ?: Yellow · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Short · Medium · Long · Unknown
What colour were the EYES ?: Brown or blackish brown · Black or dark gray · Unknown
What colour was the TOP of HEAD ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Robin-sized · Pigeon-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Gull-like, or a Seabird
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Northeastern Canada or United States · Southeastern United States

result:561-least-tern:1:1 Source: 561 Least Tern, row 1

Rule 2 13 criteria confidence 1

What colour were the LEGS or FEET ?: Yellow · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Unknown
What SHAPE was the TAIL ?: Forked · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What colour was the BILL ?: Yellow · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Short · Medium · Long · Unknown
What colour were the EYES ?: Brown or blackish brown · Black or dark gray · Unknown
What colour was the TOP of HEAD ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Robin-sized · Pigeon-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Gull-like, or a Seabird
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Southwestern United States · Northwestern Canada or United States

result:561-least-tern:2:1 Source: 561 Least Tern, row 2