The California least tern, Sternula antillarum browni, is a subspecies of least tern that breeds primarily in bays of the Pacific Ocean within a very limited range of Southern California, in San Francisco Bay and in northern regions of Mexico.This migratory bird is a U.S. federally listed endangered subspecies. Throws down the gauntlet to BOU over non-recognition of the widely-accepted split of Sternula antillarum Least Tern from S albifrons Little Tern. It is identified in spring and summer by a white forehead contrasting with a black crown and nape. This delightful chattering seabird is the UK's smallest tern. Conservation Status. Unlock thousands of full-length species accounts and hundreds of bird family overviews when you subscribe to Birds of the World. MODERATE CONSERVATION CONCERN. Other close relatives include the yellow-billed tern and Peruvian tern, both from South America. At the Aquarium. The least tern is the smallest American tern, weighing about 1 ounce and measuring about 9 inches in length. Key words: endangered species, fledging success, least tern, population status, population trend, productivity, Sterna antillarumn. Least Terns are common summer residents along the coast and rare to locally uncommon at scattered locations inland (Lockwood and Freeman 2004). Status in Tennessee: The Least Tern is locally common during the summer along the Mississippi River and is a rare migrant elsewhere in the state. Since 2001 the Aquarium of the Pacific has partnered with the US Navy, … By the early 20th century, only about 250 pairs of Least Terns remained in the state. Common in spring, summer, and fall, and occasional in winter in Gulf Coast region. In flight, they show white under the wing and a black line on the outer edge of the top of the wing. CLIMATE CHANGE: Not Applicable. Least tern, Sterna antillarum is split from the little tern, S. albifrons which is confined to the old world *15,18*. 1984. IUCN – Least Concern Status Discussion: Least tern is a common local breeder and a common to abundant migrant on Long Island. Population Population threats. The interior least tern population is now estimated at roughly 18,000 birds. According to City Commissioner Mike Hudak, a colony has been nesting on the beach here. [Photo courtesy] With the … Least terns can reach a length between 8.3-9.1 inches (21-23 centimeters) with a wingspan of 21-23 inches (53-58 centimeters) (Thompson et al., 1997). STATUS: Breeder. No. The fountain, mural, and accompanying graphics illustrate the story of our Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers. Least terns have white foreheads, slender, dark-tipped yellow bills and yellowish legs. Colonies on beaches are also vulnerable to tidal overwash during extreme weather or tides. Sprunt, A., IV. STATUS: The Least Tern suffered the same fate as Massachusetts’ larger terns at the end of the 19th century – they were slaughtered for use as decorations for hats. A black eye-line connects the black cap to the bill. Least terns are the smallest North American terns. STATUS OF LEAST TERN RECRUITMENT Based on the juvenile census, Camp Pendleton produced a minimum of 195 least terns in 1971 and 92 least terns in 1972. The San Francisco Bay, Mission Bay, and San Diego Bay management areas must have at least 3, 5, and 4 viable colonies repectively. Least terns are widespread and are common in places, but the nesting habit they prefer is sought after for residential development, human recreation, and alteration by the diversion of water, which interferes with nesting in many areas. 2004). British Birds 103(12): 728-730. AVAILABLE … Status and conservation of the world's seabirds. It has white underparts and gray upper body, wings and a forked tail. The least tern is the smallest tern in North America. The status and conservation of seabirds in the Caribbean. HABITAT: in length). Simpson (1920) recorded one Least Tern colony on Sandy Key, a small island approximately 13 km southwest of Key West. This site is managed jointly by the Port and as part of the the USFWS Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge. Least terns have nested on the sand-shell substrate of dredge spoil at the "D Street Fill", 2. south of the mouth of the Sweetwater River, along the eastern shore of San Diego Bay, since 1973 (WESTEC 1981). STATUS. Letters: The taxonomic status of Least Tern. STATUS. It is closely related to, and was formerly often considered conspecific with, the little tern of the Old World. Males and females are similar in appearance. Birds 38:975-981. The interior population of least tern was list-ed as endangered in 1985 because of perceived low numbers and threats to its breeding habitat (Federal Register 1985). Least tern gets official status By Michael d'Oliveira | on July 08, 2020 . The least tern (Sternula antillarum) is a species of tern that breeds in North America and locally in northern South America. In Inland Coastal Plain, occasional, mostly in fall. Although breeding distribution along the Texas coast is similar on the TBBA map and that in Oberholser (1974), the latter shows far fewer records along the Red River, suggesting population growth there. It has a black-cap with a white forehead. Their narrow, pointed wings make them streamlined flyers. 1984. Other col- onies reportedly occurred near Bahia Honda Key (Howell 1932), on Key Largo (Howell 1932), and on Lake Key in Florida Bay (Bent 1921). Like most species of tern, they have a slender body, narrow pointed wings, and a forked tail. Its bill is a distinctive yellow with a black tip. POPULATION STATUS. about the nesting status of the Least Tern in the Florida Keys prior to the 1970s. In Mountain region, rare in fall, occasional in spring, and occasional to rare in summer. The status and conservation of seabirds of the Bahama Islands. Adults average 8 to 10 inches in length, with a 20 inch wingspan. Least tern is ranked as Vulnerable in New York and as Imperiled in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Least terns have long pointed wings and a deeply forked tail. Each species account is written by leading ornithologists and provides detailed information on bird distribution, migration, habitat, diet, sounds, behavior, breeding, current population status, and conservation. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Pages 157-168 in Croxall et al., eds. The least tern (Sternula antillarum, formerly Sterna antillarum) is a species of tern that breeds in North America and locally in northern South America. Least terns can reach a length between 8.3-9.1 inches (21-23 centimeters) with a wingspan of 21-23 inches (53-58 centimeters) (Thompson et al., 1997). It is closely related to, and was formerly often considered conspecific with, the little tern of the Old World. IUCN Status: LC (Least Concern) Appearance. Each of these management areas must have at least one viable colony. The least tern can be distinguished by its sulfur yellow bill, which has a black tip. The Least Tern, very similar to the Old World Little Tern (Sternula albifrons), breeds widely along coastal beaches and major interior rivers of North America and winters broadly across marine coastlines of Central and South America. The least tern is the smallest of the North American terns (about 9 in. This migratory bird is a U.S. federally listed endangered subspecies.