The least tern is a species of tern that breeds in North America and locally in northern South America. It is closely related to, and was formerly often considered conspecific with, the little tern of the Old World. Other close relatives include the yellow-billed tern and Peruvian tern, both from South America.
Region
North America and northern South America
Typical Environment
Breeds along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States, on the Pacific coast of California, and inland along large rivers such as the Mississippi and Platte. Wintering occurs mainly along tropical and subtropical coasts of Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. Prefers open, sparsely vegetated substrates near shallow waters including beaches, barrier islands, salt flats, and riverine sandbars. Outside the breeding season it frequents estuaries, lagoons, and nearshore waters. In urban areas it may use flat, gravel rooftops as surrogate nesting habitat.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1600 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Least terns breed on open sandy beaches, river sandbars, and even gravel rooftops, where their speckled eggs blend with the substrate. They perform dramatic distraction displays and will vigorously mob intruders near colonies. Courtship often involves males presenting small fish to females. Formerly grouped with the Old World little tern, it is now treated as a distinct New World species.
Parent feeding a small chick in Florida, USA
Temperament
social and defensive near nests
Flight Pattern
buoyant flight with short rapid wingbeats and hovering
Social Behavior
Typically nests in loose colonies on open ground, scraping shallow nests and lining them with shells or pebbles. Both parents incubate and feed the chicks, which are highly cryptic and prone to crouch motionless when threatened. Courtship includes aerial chases and fish-offering displays. Colonies will collectively mob predators and human intruders.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations are sharp, high-pitched chips and trills, often rendered as 'kip-kip' or 'tsip'. Calls become frequent and insistent around colonies, serving as alarm and contact notes rather than melodious song.
