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Roseate Tern

Sterna dougallii

Least Concern
Roseate terns have a wide distribution range, and are found on six continents around the world. However, numbers have declined dramatically in some regions, leading to conservation concerns over the long-term survival of the species.
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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Roseate Tern is a slender, medium-sized seabird with pale grey upperparts and white underparts. Its long, forked tail and black cap are distinctive features.

During the breeding season, adults develop a rosy pink tinge on their underparts, giving the species its name. The bill is red with a black tip.

In winter, the black cap recedes, leaving a white forehead, the tail plumes are noticeably shorter, and the bright-red-orange legs, feet and bill become duller.

Juveniles have a mottled brown pattern on their backs and wings, with a greyish-black cap and shorter tail streamers than adults.

Size

Length

33cm to 41cm

Wingspan

72cm to 80cm

Weight

95g to 130g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

White Grey

Secondary Colour

Black Pink

Beak Colour

Black Red Orange

Leg Colour

Red Orange

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Roseate Tern is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Roseate Tern is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Roseate Tern is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Roseate Tern can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Roseate Tern is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Roseate Tern is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Roseate Tern is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Roseate Tern is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Roseate Tern is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Roseate Tern is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Roseate Tern is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Roseate Tern is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Roseate Terns inhabit coastal regions worldwide, including tropical and temperate zones. They prefer offshore islands, rocky coasts, and sandy beaches for breeding. During non-breeding seasons, they disperse widely across oceans.

Significant breeding populations can be found in the northeastern United States, parts of the UK, and eastern Australia. Wintering areas include the Caribbean and West Africa for North Atlantic populations.

Three large breeding colonies exist in North America: Great Gull Island in New York, with more than 9,500 pairs, and Ram Island and Bird Island in Massachusetts, which host 2,500 and 3,000 pairs, respectively.

Rockabill Island, in County Dublin, is the species’ largest European colony, accounting for more than 75 per cent of the continent’s population.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 100 meters

Climate zones

Tropical, Subtropical, Temperate

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Roseate 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
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident
Breeding
Non-breeding
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year
Antigua and Barbuda China Dominican Republic France Ghana Guadeloupe Ireland Mauritania Papua New Guinea Portugal Puerto Rico Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Solomon Islands Spain The Bahamas Turks and Caicos United States of America Venezuela
Species that are present in the area during their breeding season
Anguilla Aruba Australia British Virgin Islands Canada Cuba Curaçao India Indonesia Jamaica Kenya Madagascar Martinique Mauritius New Caledonia Oman Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Seychelles Somalia South Africa Sri Lanka Taiwan Tanzania The United Kingdom United States of America US Virgin Islands
Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season
Belize Brazil Cambodia Cameroon Cayman Islands Christmas Island Comoros Côte D'Ivoire Dominica East Timor (Timor-Leste) Equatorial Guinea Fiji French Guiana Grenada Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Iran Japan Liberia Malaysia Mexico Micronesia Montserrat Mozambique Nigeria Pakistan Panama Philippines Réunion Saint Barthelemy Saint Martin Sao Tome and Principe Sierra Leone Suriname Thailand Togo
Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range
Austria Bahrain Barbados Belgium Benin Bermuda Brunei Colombia Denmark Egypt Gambia Germany Gibraltar Israel Libya Malta Myanmar Netherlands Norway Poland Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saudi Arabia Senegal Singapore Sweden Switzerland Trinidad and Tobago United Arab Emirates Vietnam Yemen

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird 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.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 90

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

Roseate Terns are exceptionally agile flyers, capable of swift and precise movements. Their ability to plunge-dive from heights of up to 20 metres to catch fish demonstrates remarkable aerial dexterity and control.

Strength 60

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst not particularly strong for their size, Roseate Terns possess sufficient strength to catch and carry fish. Their slender build suggests moderate strength, adequate for their lifestyle but not exceptional.

Adaptability 75

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

These birds show good adaptability, inhabiting various coastal environments globally and adjusting to different climates. Their ability to nest in diverse locations, from sandy beaches to rocky crevices, further demonstrates their adaptiveness.

Aggressiveness 80

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Roseate Terns are known for their aggressive defence of nesting sites against predators and intruders. This protective behaviour, especially during breeding season, indicates a high level of aggression when necessary.

Endurance 85

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

With their long-distance migratory habits and ability to dive repeatedly for fish, Roseate Terns exhibit impressive endurance. Their capacity to live for over 25 years in the wild also suggests robust stamina and resilience.

Diet

Roseate terns are fish eaters, catching their prey by plunge-diving, spotting prey from the air before swiftly diving to catch it just below the water's surface. Sand lance, blueback herring, striped anchovies, Atlantic herring and bay anchovies are among the most popular species.

Occasionally, they may also consume small crustaceans, squid and insects. They may be observed to mob other seabirds in order to steal their prey, with puffins and brown pelicans frequently being targeted in this way.

Behaviour

Roseate Terns are graceful flyers. They are often seen diving into the water from up to 20 meters in height to catch fish.

They are colonial nesters, forming tight-knit groups during breeding season. These birds are known for aggressively defending nesting sites against predators and intruders.

Vocalisation

The Roseate Tern's call is a distinctive, harsh 'kir-rick' or 'kee-ack'. During courtship, they produce a softer, purring sound. When alarmed, they emit a sharp, staccato 'kik-kik-kik'.

Their vocalisations are generally higher-pitched and more musical than those of other tern species.

Nesting & Breeding

Roseate Terns typically form monogamous pairs and breed in colonies, often alongside other tern species. The breeding season varies by location but generally occurs between April and July in the Northern Hemisphere.

Nests are simple scrapes in sand, rock crevices, or among vegetation, sometimes lined with shells or pebbles. Females usually lay 1-2 eggs, which are pale brown with dark speckles.

Both parents incubate the eggs for about 23-24 days. Chicks fledge after 27-30 days but continue to receive parental care for several more weeks as they learn to fish independently.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

Despite being listed as Least Concern globally, Roseate Tern populations face regional challenges. Habitat loss, predation, and climate change impact breeding success.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting nesting sites, managing predators, and creating artificial nesting habitats to support population recovery.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

200,000 - 220,000 individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for Roseate Terns in coastal areas, especially near sandy or rocky islands.
  • Observe their distinctive forked tail and listen for their characteristic 'kir-rick' call.
  • Visit known breeding colonies in the summer months for the best chance of sightings.
  • In the UK, try birdwatching at Coquet Island in Northumberland or North Solent in Hampshire.

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Rosy Tern

Family:

Laridae

Average Lifespan

8 years

Max Lifespan

25.7 years [3]

Predators

Main predators include gulls, skuas, rats, and introduced mammals like minks and foxes. Peregrine falcons occasionally prey on adult Roseate Terns.

Did You Know?

  1. Roseate Terns can live for over 25 years, making them one of the longest-lived tern species.
  2. They are capable of diving up to 40 cm deep to catch fish.
  3. Roseate Terns often return to the same breeding colony year after year, showing high site fidelity.

References

  1. 1

    website: BirdLife International. 2018. Sterna dougallii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22694601A132260491.

    View source
  2. 2

    report, 2015: Wetlands International

  3. 3

    website: Longevity Records Of North American Birds. Version 2023.1

    View source

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