Tern

Birds of Sweden 2016 07

Birds of Sweden 2016 08

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Larosterna inca4

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Anous minutus by Gregg Yan 02

White tern with fish

Sterna fuscata

Terns are a group of seabirds in the family Laridae, which also includes gulls, skimmers, and more. Terns are closely related to gulls but are typically distinguished by their slimmer bodies, more pointed wings, and often, their habits of plunge-diving for fish. They are found in a wide range of environments and are highly migratory, with many species traveling long distances between their breeding and wintering grounds.

Description

Terns are medium-sized birds with slender bodies, long wings, and typically, forked or long, pointed tails. Their beaks are usually sharp and narrow, adapted for catching fish. The coloration of terns varies among species, though many have a predominantly grey and white plumage with black markings on the head. Terns range in size from the small Little Tern (Sternula albifrons) to the much larger Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus).

Habitat and Distribution

Terns inhabit a variety of coastal and marine environments, including beaches, sandbars, estuaries, and islands. Some species also frequent inland water bodies like lakes and rivers during migration or breeding. Terns are found worldwide, from the Arctic and Antarctic regions to the tropics.

Behavior

Terns are known for their remarkable flying abilities, including agile flight and hovering. Their diet primarily consists of fish, which they catch by plunge-diving, a technique where the bird drops from the air into the water to snatch its prey. Some species also feed on crustaceans, insects, and small mammals.

Breeding

Terns are colonial breeders, with some colonies consisting of thousands of individuals. They typically nest on the ground, laying one to three eggs in a scrape or on bare rock. Both parents share in the incubation duties and in feeding the chicks once they hatch.

Conservation

While many tern species have stable populations, some are threatened or endangered due to habitat loss, pollution, human disturbance, and climate change. Conservation efforts for terns include protecting breeding and wintering habitats, managing human activities in critical areas, and research to better understand their ecology and threats.

Species

There are many species of terns, divided into several genera. Some of the more well-known species include the Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea), known for its long migratory journey from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back each year, and the Common Tern (Sterna hirundo), widely distributed across the Northern Hemisphere.