Fauna
Bird · GBIF taxon 2481119

Black Tern

Chlidonias niger

Also known as American Black Tern, Eurasian Black Tern

Black terns are agile marsh dwellers recognized in summer by their striking velvety charcoal plumage and buoyant, swallow-like flight. Unlike plunge-diving marine terns, these aerial acrobats delicate pick dragonflies, mayflies, and small fish directly from the water surface or air. They build fragile nests on floating mats of marsh vegetation, making their breeding colonies exceptionally vulnerable to water level fluctuations and human disturbance.

MigratoryWaterbirdAerial Acrobat
Black Tern reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Ómar Runólfsson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Dragonflies
  • Mayflies
  • Small fish
Predators
  • Northern Harrier
  • Peregrine Falcon
  • American Mink
ThreatsWetland habitat loss, agricultural runoff, water level changes, climate change
HabitatsFreshwater marshes, shallow lakes, prairie potholes, coastal estuaries
Life span7–12 years
Classification
  1. FamilyLaridae
  2. SpeciesChlidonias niger
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
What to notice
Breeding adults display a dark charcoal head and body with contrasting pale grey wings, a short tail, and dark bill.
Support conservation
Observe breeding marshes from designated vantage points or shorelines with binoculars, avoiding watercraft access near floating vegetation.
Responsible observation
  • Scan Marsh Vegetation: Look for low-flying charcoal birds hovering over cattails and open water during summer.
  • Listen for Calls: Distinctive metallic krik or kik calls often announce foraging flocks before they come into view.
  • Maintain Nesting Distance: Keep canoes and kayaks far from floating vegetation mats to prevent nest abandonment.
Related species
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