Sound clips and movies require Adobe Flash player. Latin nameSterna dougallii FamilyTerns (Sternidae) OverviewSimilar in size to a common tern but very white-looking, with long tail-streamers, a black cap and a black beak with a reddish base. In summer adults have a pinkish tinge to their underparts which gives them their name. It is one of our rarest seabirds and whose severe, long-lasting and well documented decline make it a Red List species. Where to see themA strictly coastal bird, with breeding in the UK confined to a few colonies. Most likely place to see birds in summer are off the Northumberland coast, Anglesey and the Firth of Forth. Passage birds can be seen along the south and east coasts, with Dungeness, Kent a regular site. When to see themThey arrive at their breeding colonies from mid-May, leaving again in August. Away from their colonies they are best looked for in spring along the south and east coasts. What they eatFish Estimated numbers| Europe | UK breeding* | UK wintering* | UK passage* |
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| - | 94 pairs | - | - |
* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn. Distribution
Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations. Find out more
Audio is from commercial recordings Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe on 4 CDs or Bird Sounds of Europe & North-west Africa, copyright WildSounds & CEBA (www.wildsounds.com, (UK) +44 (0) 1263 741100) |