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10

Little Tern

(Sternula albifrons)
German name(s): "Zwergseeschwalbe"
Size: 21-25 cm; wing span: 41-47 cm
Weight: 50 g (average)

Similar
species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description

Click here for a physical description

Taxonomy, classification

See Little Tern at Wikipedia .

Click here for classification information

Range, habitat, finding this species

Click here for information on habitat and range

Sightings

Click here for sighting information

Photos

Race "albifrons"

ADULT

Sex unknown

BREEDING

Near-lateral view of a Little Tern in breeding plumage on the point of landing (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Vila Franca de Xira, Tejo estuary, Portugal, May 2020]

Near-lateral view of two Little Terns in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Montargil, Alentejo, Portugal, July 2013]

Frontal view of a Little Tern in breeding plumage in flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Montijo, Tejo estuary, Portugal, August 2019]

Near-frontal view of a Little Tern in breeding plumage in flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Montijo, Tejo estuary, Portugal, August 2019]

Lateral view of a Little Tern in breeding plumage in flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Vila Franca de Xira, Tejo estuary, Portugal, May 2020]

Lateral view of a Little Tern in breeding plumage in flight, wings up (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Vila Franca de Xira, Tejo estuary, Portugal, May 2020]

Lateral view of a Little Tern in breeding plumage in flight, wings up (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Vila Franca de Xira, Tejo estuary, Portugal, May 2020]

Near-dorsal view of a Little Tern in breeding plumage in flight, wings up (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Vila Franca de Xira, Tejo estuary, Portugal, May 2020]

NON-BREEDING

Frontal view of a Little Tern in non-breeding plumage in flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Alcochete, Tejo estuary, Portugal, September 2018]

Near-frontal view of a Little Tern in non-breeding plumage in flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Alcochete, Tejo estuary, Portugal, September 2018]

Lateral view of a Little Tern in non-breeding plumage in flight, wings up (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Alcochete, Tejo estuary, Portugal, September 2018]

Lateral view of a Little Tern in non-breeding plumage in flight, wings down (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Alcochete, Tejo estuary, Portugal, September 2018]

Race "sinensis"

Photos of Little Terns, race "sinensis", have been taken by us in Australia.

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

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