Black Tern

Black Tern with chicks. Photo credit: Dana Cofell
Chilidonias niger
Description
- Small, 25 cm, boldly marked tern with black head, chest and belly.
- Wings slate grey with black wing tips.
- Tail slate grey with white underneath.
- Bill is black. Legs dark red
- Sexes appear similar.
Habits and Reproduction
- Floating nests in loose colonies in shallow mainly cattail marshes
- Monogamous and breeds at 2 yrs of age.
- Typically 2-3 eggs are laid late May to early July.
- Migrate to north coast of South America and return early May.
- Eats mainly insects picked off while hovering above the water surface and also other aquatic invertebrates and small fish.
Habitat
- Mainly found on the Great Lakes in coastal marshes.
- Wetland loss, water pollution, and disturbance of nesting areas by boat traffic.
Threats
- Wetland loss, water pollution, and disturbance of nesting areas by boat traffic.
Conservation Actions
- Please operate watercraft with care. Slowing down to a “no wake” speed is important near wetlands.
- This bird is protected under the Migratory Bird Act.
- Consider participating in the Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program
Range Map
