Key information
The black tern is a small tern with an all-black head and body, contrasting with grey wings, back and tail in spring. Autumn birds have grey upperparts, white underparts and distinctive black head markings. It feeds by dipping down and picking food from the surface of water.
This Schedule 1 species has occasionally bred in the UK.
What they eat:
Insects, invertebrates and fish.
Measurements:
- Length:
- 22-24cm
- Wingspan:
- 64-68cm
- Weight:
- 73g
Population:
- UK passage:
- Hundreds
- Europe:
- 83-170,000 pairs
Identifying features:
This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season.
Black tern (summer plumage)
Black tern (winter plumage)
