Bird · GBIF taxon 2481119
Black Tern
Chlidonias nigerAlso 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
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
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
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyLaridae
- SpeciesChlidonias niger
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- 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.
Frequent Companion NaturesFan1226 / CC BY 3.0 · cc-by
Prey (c) Eugene Zelenko, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Kim, Hyun-tae, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kim, Hyun-tae · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Lek Khauv, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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