1. ECOS
2. Species Profile for Least tern (Sterna antillarum)

Least tern (Sterna antillarum)

Listing Status:   

General Information

Least terns are the smallest member of the gull and tern family. They are approximately 9" in length. Unlike gulls, terns will dive into the water for small fish. The body of least terns is predominately gray and white, with black streaking on the head. Least terns have a forked tail and narrow pointed wings. Least terns less than a year old have less distinctive black streaking on the head and less of a forked tail.

• States/US Territories in which the Least tern, interior pop. is known to or is believed to occur:  Arkansas , Colorado , Illinois , Indiana , Iowa , Kansas , Kentucky , Louisiana , Mississippi , Missouri , Montana , Nebraska , New Mexico , North Dakota , Oklahoma , South Dakota , Tennessee , Texas
• US Counties in which the Least tern, interior pop. is known to or is believed to occur:  View All
• USFWS Refuges in which the Least tern, interior pop. is known to occur:  Audubon National Wildlife Refuge, Audubon Wetland Management District, Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge, Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge Breton National Wildlife Refuge, Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge, Coldwater River National Wildlife Refuge, Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge, Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Dahomey National Wildlife Refuge, Dakota Tallgrass Prairie Wildlife Management Area, Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge, Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge, Delta National Wildlife Refuge, Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, Grulla National Wildlife Refuge, Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, Huron Wetland Management District, Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge, Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge, Lake Zahl National Wildlife Refuge, Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Long Lake Wetland Management District, Lower Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge, Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge, Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge, Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, Rainwater Basin Wetland Management District, Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge, Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Shell Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, St. Catherine Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Sunburst Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Tallahatchie National Wildlife Refuge, Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge, Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge, Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge, Valentine National Wildlife Refuge, Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge  ... Show All Refuges
  
• Additional species information

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» Critical Habitat

No critical habitat rules have been published for the Least tern.

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» Life History

No Life History information has been entered into this system for this species.

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NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world.

FWS Digital Media Library -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video.