Little Tern
Sternula albifrons
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
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Little Terns are exceptionally agile flyers, capable of precise hovering and swift plunge-diving from heights up to 7 metres. Their ability to manoeuvre quickly and accurately is crucial for their fishing technique and aerial displays during courtship.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
As one of the smallest tern species in Europe, Little Terns have limited strength relative to larger seabirds. However, they possess enough power to carry fish to their young and engage in long-distance migration, showcasing a moderate level of strength for their size.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Little Terns demonstrate considerable adaptability, inhabiting various coastal environments across multiple continents and climate zones. Their ability to nest on different substrates (sand or shingle) and adjust to local conditions contributes to their widespread distribution.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
These birds exhibit high levels of aggression when defending their nesting territories. They are known to fiercely dive-bomb potential predators, including much larger animals, that approach their colonies too closely. This behaviour is crucial for protecting their eggs and chicks.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Little Terns display remarkable endurance, particularly during their annual migrations which can exceed 10,000 kilometres. Their ability to undertake such long-distance journeys, coupled with their energetic foraging behaviour and persistent nest defence, indicates high endurance levels for a bird of their size.
Diet
Little Terns primarily feed on small fish (up to 6cm long) such as sand eels, sprats, roach, carp and herring. They also consume crustaceans and aquatic insects.
These birds hunt by hovering over water, then plunging headfirst to catch prey just below the surface, showcasing their excellent eyesight and precision.
Behaviour
Little Terns are agile flyers, often seen hovering over water before plunge-diving for prey. They are highly social, nesting in colonies and engaging in aerial displays during courtship.
These birds fiercely defend their nesting territories, dive-bombing potential predators that approach too closely.
Vocalisation
Little Terns have a distinctive, high-pitched call often described as a sharp 'kik-kik' or 'kee-yik', mainly heard in flight and when feeding.
During the breeding season, they become more vocal, using a variety of chattering and shrieking sounds of ‘kerre, kri-ett, kerre, kri-ett’ to communicate within the colony and warn off intruders.
Nesting & Breeding
Little Terns form monogamous pairs and breed in colonies from April to August. Courtship involves aerial displays and fish-offering rituals.
Nests are simple scrapes in sand or shingle, often lined with shells or pebbles. Females typically lay 2-3 camouflaged eggs, which are pale and speckled.
Both parents incubate the eggs for about 21 days. Chicks fledge after 19-20 days but remain dependent on parents for several more weeks.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
Despite being listed as Least Concern globally, Little Tern populations face local threats. Habitat loss due to coastal development and disturbance at breeding sites are significant concerns. Conservation efforts focus on protecting nesting areas and raising public awareness about beach-nesting birds.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Little Terns along coastal areas, especially near estuaries and sandy beaches.
- Listen for their distinctive high-pitched 'kik-kik' calls.
- Observe their characteristic hovering and plunge-diving behaviour.
- In the UK, visit coastal reserves during the summer months for the best chance of sightings.
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Predators
Main predators include gulls, crows, foxes, and rats, which target eggs and chicks. Adult Little Terns are occasionally preyed upon by larger birds of prey.
Did You Know?
- Little Terns are the smallest tern species found in Europe.
- They can dive from heights of up to 7 meters to catch fish.
- Some Little Terns migrate over 10,000 kilometers (6,200 miles) annually between breeding and wintering grounds.
References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2019. Sternula albifrons (amended version of 2018 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T22694656A155476219.
View source - 2 3
report, 2015: Wetlands International
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