Least Tern
Sterna antillarum
(Laridae)
9 inches long. 20 inch wingspan. The Least Tern is our smallest tern. It has yellow legs and a slender yellow bill that is tipped with black. The tail is slightly forked. The face is all white with a black cap and a white forehead. The undersides are white and the back is gray. The upper wings are pale gray with black on the outer two primary feathers. In non-breeding plumage the legs are orange and the bill is black. The black cap is mottled with white.
The Least Tern is an uncommon breeding bird along the Platte River in the area. It shows up in late April and leaves by early September. It may occasionally be seen from the Forest along the Missouri River.
The Least Tern flies with rapid wingbeats. Like all terns it dives into water for prey. It nests on sand bars that are free of vegetation. Due to its breeding site preferences it has faced reduced numbers since these sites are also prized for recreation. It is the only North American tern that is specially classified for protection.
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