Gulls and terns · Shorebirds
Black Tern
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Chlidonias niger
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Voice
Call
Jonathon Jongsma
Alarm
Jonathon Jongsma
Call
Jonathon Jongsma
How to recognize it
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24 cm, like a gull
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Dark body, grey upperparts and back
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White forewing in flight, narrow tail
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Slim black bill, short red-brown legs; "kik-kik"
About the species
The Black Tern spends much of its time low over water, moving with quick wingbeats and sharp turns. In breeding plumage it looks dark above and below, with a pale forewing that shows clearly in flight.
It takes food on the wing or from the water’s surface, and rarely dives. Its call is a thin “kik,” often repeated, and large flocks can sound loud and constant.
Look for it around freshwater marshes, lakes, and other still waters, especially near floating plants and reeds. It feeds mainly on insects, but also takes small fish, amphibians, and other water-edge prey. In winter it leaves inland areas and moves to coastal Africa or South America.
Where to find
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Along pond edges, canal banks, and flooded lawns—especially where reeds stick out of the water—it flies low and picks food right from the surface.
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On marshy shores of city lakes in the early morning, it’s easier to notice when it lands on floating leaves or reed stems and gives a sharp “kik-kik.”
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By puddles after rain and on damp grass near water, it snatches small insects from the ground in quick, low hops.
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Over reedbeds and tiny waterlogged islands, breeding groups stay noisy, with constant short takeoffs and returns to the water.
You might also see
Sources
- eBird — Chlidonias niger Sightings map and full description on eBird
- Wikipedia — Black tern Encyclopedia article