10 |
![]() |
Black Tern![]() Size: 22-26 cm; wing span: 56-68 cm Weight: 50-90 g |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
See Black
Tern at Wikipedia |
||||||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Photos |
Race "niger"
![]() |
ADULT |
Sex unknown |
![]() |
BREEDING |
Pair of Black Terns in breeding plumage, possibly deciding on
the suitability of this location for a nest site
(photo
courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Biebrza National Park, Poland, June 2016]
Lateral view of a preening Black Tern in breeding plumage, showing clearly the
characteristic near-white undertail coverts
(photo courtesy of
D. Wilczynska)
[Biebrza National Park, Poland, June 2016]
Lateral view of a Black Tern in breeding plumage landing on a patch
of reeds (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[River Bug, near Brok, Masovia, Poland, May 2017]
Lateral view of a Black Tern in breeding plumage in flight, showing
clearly the basically all-grey back, rump and tail, which
distinguishes the species from the similar
White-winged
Black Tern (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[River Bug, near Brok, Masovia, Poland, May 2017]
Near-dorsal view of a Black Tern in breeding plumage in flight
(photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[River Bug, near Brok, Masovia, Poland, May 2017]
Black Terns in breeding plumage in flight
(photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[River Bug, near Brok, Masovia, Poland, May 2017]
![]() |
NON-BREEDING |
Lateral view of a Black Tern in non-breeding
plumage
in the middle of summer
(photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[River Bug, near Malkinia, Masovia, Poland, July 2019]
Two Black Terns in non-breeding plumage, left, with for comparison two
White-winged Black Terns,
right, and a Black-headed
Gull, front, all in non-breeding plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[November 2017]
Near-frontal view of a Black Tern starting to moult into breeding
plumage
hunting in submerged pasture in the floodplain of a river
(photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[River Bug, near Brok, Masovia, Poland, July 2017]
Lateral views of two different phases of the wing beat of a
Black Tern starting to moult into breeding
plumage
(photos courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[River Bug, near Brok, Masovia, Poland, July 2017]
Lateral view of a Black Tern in non-breeding
plumage
in a coastal habitat, wings up; note the characteristic grey
breast patch [at the base of the wing] and the grey rump
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Alcochete, Tejo estuary, Portugal, September 2018]
Lateral view of a Black Tern in non-breeding
plumage
in a coastal habitat, wings down; note the characteristic grey
breast patch [at the base of the wing] and the grey rump
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Alcochete, Tejo estuary, Portugal, September 2018]
Near-dorsal view of a Black Tern in non-breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Alcochete, Tejo estuary, Portugal, September 2018]
![]() |
Breeding information |
Breeding season: Apr - Jul | Eggs: 2 - 4 | Incubation period: 21 - 22 days | Fledging age: 19 - 25 days |
Nest building: Male & female | Incubation: Female & male | Dependent care: Female & male |
Black Terns are colonial breeders and many nests may be found in relatively close proximity to each other.
![]() |
Nest |
Type: Basket | Material: Aquatic plants | Height above ground: N/A |
Nests are usually floating platforms on water, but can be built on solid ground near water too.
Black Tern on its nest, left, while its partner is hunting nearby
(photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Biebrza National Park, Poland, June 2016]
(Presumably female) Black Tern, left, with its partner in
attendance (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Biebrza National Park, Poland, June 2016]
(Presumably male) Black Tern, right, feeding its partner on the
nest (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Biebrza National Park, Poland, June 2016]
![]() |
Eggs |
Size: 35 x 25 mm | Colour: Gold-ochre, with big dark-brown and black speckles | Shape: Tapered oval |
![]() |
Behaviour |
During the breeding season male Black Terns, left in this case, must prove to their partners that they are good providers by making them gifts of food. Although both adults take part in the incubation, this is usually a sign of the female taking on most of the incubation duties, thereby relying on the male for food.
Male Black Tern, right, bringing its partner a small fish
(photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Biebrza National Park, Poland, June 2016]
As soon as the transfer is complete, he is off on the hunt again
(photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Biebrza National Park, Poland, June 2016]
Black Terns in their natural habitat, a riverine marsh
(photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[River Bug, near Brok, Masovia, Poland, May 2017]
![]() |
Food, Diet |
Unlike species of "white terns", Black Terns do not dive deep into water to catch their prey, but take small fish and insects in-flight from near the water's surface or from plants.
This photo demonstrates the Black Terns' hunting technique
(photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Biebrza National Park, Poland, June 2016]
![]() |
Call(s)/Song |
For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The
interpretation of their meaning is our own;
comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.
blktern_dw_20190519.m4a | (Poland) | Contact calls | © DW | |
blktern_dw_20190519_2.m4a | (Poland) | Contact calls | © DW | |
blktern_dw_20200531.m4a | (Poland) | Contact calls? (in flight) | © DW | |
blktern_dw_20200612.m4a | (Poland) | Contact calls? (mob in flight) | © DW | |
blktern_dw_20200612_2.m4a | (Poland) | ? | © DW |
More Black Tern sound recordings are available at
xeno-canto.org
.