Least tern

The least tern is largely distributed in North America. Populations can be found along the Pacific Coast of California and Mexico, along many of the interior rivers, and along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts.

Colonies of least terns in New Jersey of a few to several hundred pairs are found primarily along barrier island beaches or mainland beach strands. Bare sandy areas or areas sparsely vegetated that are above spring (full moon) high tides are preferred. Nesting colonies are also found on sandy dredge disposal sites before the establishment of dense vegetation. Least terns may also nest near sand and gravel pits where sand piles from mining operations provide suitable nesting habitat. The birds typically forage in bays, lagoons, estuaries, rivers and lakes along the coast.

Least terns eat small fish and occasionally shrimp and other marine invertebrates. They hover above the water then plunge from 3 to 10 ft. down to dive after prey. They grasp the prey with their bill and are usually eaten in flight.

In late April to early May terns return to coastal nesting areas in New Jersey. They are often heard than seen while calling over and around coastal nesting areas. Courtship and colony establishment begins in the first week of May. Male terns call (with fish in their bill) while being pursued by other males or females. Males often perch and offer food to female terns.

They nest in shallow scrapes that are made by both the male and female. They sit in the sand and kick their feet backward while rotating to make a shallow bowl-like depression in the sand. They may make several scrapes, but they only use one. The female selects the scrape and from mid to late June she lays two to three sand-colored eggs. The eggs are highly camouflaged and are speckled with many brown spots.

The eggs are incubated for approximately 21 days by both the male and female. The young hatch with their eyes open and are covered in light downy feathers. They do not leave the scrape for the first couple days of life. Soon after, the young walk about in search of their parents for food. The young are closely brooded by the parents, especially at night, to be kept warm and shielded from the elements. The young fledge in about three weeks. The adults continue to feed the young for up to 8 weeks after they fledge. Juvenile terns often form large groups with other juveniles that are guarded by a few adults. Adults are able to identify their young by their calls.

The least tern was once a common breeder along the New Jersey coast. In the early 1900’s egg collecting and hunting for the use of their feathers had decimated least tern populations. Protection by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and changing fashion trends enabled Least Tern numbers to rebound. However, since the late 1940’s, coastal development and the elevated recreational use of beaches began another population decline. Populations have stabilized in recent decades as management measures were implemented, but recently, populations have begun declining again, due primarily to predation losses and increases in losses to coastal flooding.

Learn about the work being done to research and protect NJ’s beach nesting birds at our Beach Nesting Birds Project webpage.