Little Tern

Sternula albifrons

A tiny, but feisty, seabird, undertakes epic annual migrations of up to 10,000 km (6,200 miles) between breeding grounds along the UK coast to winter territories in West Africa. Further east, little tern populations complete similar journeys from China and Japan to Australia each year.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Little Tern is a small, slender seabird with a distinctive appearance. It has a white body, pale grey wings, and a black cap with a white forehead. Its bill is yellow with a black tip, and its legs are orange.

During the breeding season, adults display a complete black cap. Juveniles have a dark-edged grey back and a black bill. Winter plumage shows a white forehead and a darker bill.

Males and females are alike in both breeding and non-breeding plumage.

Size

Length

21cm to 25cm

Wingspan

41cm to 47cm

Weight

45g to 60g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

White Grey

Secondary Colour

Black

Beak Colour

Yellow Orange

Leg Colour

Orange

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Little Tern is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Little Tern is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Little Tern can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Little Tern can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Little Tern is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Little Tern is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Little Tern is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Little Tern is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Little Tern is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Little Tern is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Little Tern is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Little Tern is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Little Terns inhabit coastal areas worldwide, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. They prefer sandy or shingle beaches, estuaries, and coastal lagoons for breeding and foraging.

In the UK, they are summer visitors, arriving in April and departing by September. They can be found along the east and south coasts of England, with smaller populations in Scotland and Ireland.

Sites with the largest colonies include Blakeney Point and Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, Minsmere in Suffolk, and Langstone Harbour in Hampshire.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 2,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical, Tropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Little Tern. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons