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Black Tern (Chlidonias niger)
Black Tern, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon Photograph by Alan And Elaine Wilson. Some rights reserved. (view image details)
BLACK TERN FACTS
DescriptionIn breeding plumage, the Black Tern is dark colored with a black head, neck and chest, and gray wings. In non-breeding plumage the head is white with dark crown and naps; the underside is white and wings gray. The young are a pale gray with scale pattern on back, and have dark patches on each side of the head. The tail is short and slightly notched. The black bill is sharp and slender. The wings are long and pointed. The legs are very dark reddish color. Size length 23cm - 26cm, wingspan 57cm - 60cm Environment In summer is found in inland marshes and wetlands. Found on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts during migrations to coastal South American winter grounds. Food insects, fish, plankton. Breeding Nests in small colonies in upland wetlands. Nest is built on mound or floating mass in water to 1m deep. Lays a clutch of about three eggs which hatch after incubation of 22 days. Range Breeds in southern Canada and northern United States. Winters along east and west coasts of Central America and South America. Classification
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