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Manatee County

Audubon Society

Least Tern

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Name

Least Tern

Scientific Name

(Sternula antillarum)

Why they are special:
  • The smallest of Florida’s coastal terns, often nesting on sandy beaches and islands.

  • Known for their energetic flight, rapid wingbeats, and fearless defense of tiny scrapes for nests.
Size and color:
  • Tiny tern, 7–9 inches long with a wingspan of 16–18 inches.

  • White underparts, gray back and wings, black crown with white forehead, and yellow bill with black tip.

  • Juveniles are paler with faint streaks.
Seasonality in Florida:
  • Spring and summer breeder; migrates south after nesting season.
Habitat:
  • Sandy beaches, barrier islands, sandbars, and tidal flats.

  • Nests in simple scrapes on open sand, often marked with shells or debris.
Diet:
  • Feed mainly on small fish and crustaceans, caught by plunge-diving or surface picking.
Behavior:
  • Highly territorial during breeding; adults perform distraction displays to protect nests and chicks.

  • Flight is fast and agile, often hovering briefly before plunging to capture prey.
Conservation notes:
  • Populations are sensitive to human disturbance, predation, and habitat loss.

  • Conservation efforts include beach closures, predator control, and symbolic fencing around nest scrapes.
Best time to see:
  • Spring and summer, particularly along sandy beaches and barrier islands during nesting season.
Fun Fact:
  • Least Terns are incredibly protective parents, with both adults actively defending chicks from intruders.
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