General

Least Tern: Small tern with slate-gray upperparts and white underparts. Crown and nape are black and forehead is white. Black leading edge of outer wing is conspicuous in flight. Tail is forked. Bill and feet are yellow. Sexes are similar. Juvenile has brown-and-white mottled upperparts.

Range and Habitat

Least Tern: Breeds along California coast, along rivers in Mississippi Valley, and from Maine south to Florida and the Gulf coast. Winters from Baja California south to southern Mexico; also along coasts of South America. Prefers broad, level expanses of open sandy or gravelly beach, dredge spoil and other open shoreline areas, and broad river valley sandbars.

Breeding and Nesting

Least Tern: One to three buff to pale green eggs marked with black, gray or brown are laid in a scrape in sand, shells, or gravel and lined with small shells or other debris. Incubation ranges from 20 to 25 days and is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Least Tern: Feeds on small fish; forages by skimming the water surface or diving from the air.

Vocalization

Least Tern: Call is a sharp, penetrating "kip-kip-kip" or shrill "zreep."

Similar Species

Least Tern: Black Tern has dark gray upperparts and tail and is entirely black below.