Least Tern

Sternula antillarum

Skimmers, Noddies, Terns, and Gulls · Charadriiformes · Common

The Least Tern (Sternula antillarum) is a common skimmers, noddies, terns, and gull found in 53 countries, weighing about 46 g. The least tern is a species of tern that breeds in North America and locally in northern South America.

Least ConcernCommonEats fishmarinescrape nest46 g

About the Least Tern

The least tern is a species of tern that breeds in North America and locally in northern South America. It is closely related to, and was formerly often considered conspecific with, the little tern of the Old World. Other close relatives include the yellow-billed tern and Peruvian tern, both from South America.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where it lives

Recorded as a rare visitor in Canada, United Kingdom, Peru, Japan, Portugal, Argentina, Uruguay, St. Pierre & Miquelon.

When to see it

Best months: April, May, June, July, August, with peak activity in May. It is a summer visitor species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Quick questions

What does a Least Tern look like?
The least tern is a species of tern that breeds in North America and locally in northern South America.
How big is a Least Tern?
The Least Tern is a small sized bird weighing about 46 g.
Where can you see a Least Tern?
The Least Tern occurs in 53 countries, including the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas and Guadeloupe.
What birds look similar to a Least Tern?
The Least Tern is most easily confused with the Little Tern, the Yellow-billed Tern and the Fairy Tern.
Is the Least Tern endangered?
The Least Tern is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Learn the Least Tern for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

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