When was Least Tern created?

1. When was the least tern discovered?
2. Where do least terns come from?
3. Why is it called Least Tern?
4. What is the smallest tern bird?
5. Where can you find least tern?
6. Why is the least tern important?
7. Why is the least tern endangered?
8. Are California least tern endangered?
9. What does a least tern look like?
10. What does a least tern sound like?
11. How tall is a least tern?
12. What does the least tern eat?
13. What do black rails eat?

When was the least tern discovered?

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark recorded their first observation of an Interior Least Tern on August 5, 1804 along the Missouri River, near present day Omaha, Nebraska while on their 1803—1805 “Voyage of Discovery” across North America (2013 Tern and Plover Conservation Partnership Annual Report).

Where do least terns come from?

The least tern (Sternula antillarum) is a species of tern that breeds in North America and locally in northern South America.

Why is it called Least Tern?

The CA Least Tern has a distinctive black cap. It has black stripes running from the cap across the eyes to the beak. These contrast with a white forehead. ... As its name implies, the least tern is the smallest of North American terns.

What is the smallest tern bird?

The Least Tern is the world's smallest tern—it weighs in at about the same size as a mockingbird. The "interior" Least Tern, which nests in the vast Mississippi River drainage, was listed as Endangered in 1985 when the population was estimated at fewer than 2,000 birds.

Where can you find least tern?

The interior least tern is a migratory bird species, nesting along freshwater habitats of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers and their major tributaries and overwintering in the Caribbean and South America.

Why is the least tern important?

The interior least tern population is now estimated at roughly 18,000 individuals. “Protecting these birds not only saved them from extinction but also helped us manage the surrounding ecosystem better,” said Kurose.

Why is the least tern endangered?

Populations are endangered in many areas because of human impacts on nesting areas, especially competition for use of beaches. However, Least Terns in some parts of the east are now nesting successfully on gravel roofs near the coast. ... On coasts, nesting areas often disturbed by beach-goers.

Are California least tern endangered?

STATUS. Endangered. This species is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

What does a least tern look like?

Breeding adults are pale gray and white, with a black cap, white forehead, and yellow bill. Nonbreeding adults have a dark bill, smudgy grayish crown, and may show a dark bar at the bend of the wing. The outer primaries are dark gray-black. Juveniles are similar to nonbreeding adults but scaly gray above.

What does a least tern sound like?

Calls. High-pitched, squeaky calls include a ki-dik heard frequently from flying birds, often those carrying fish, and various alarm calls, including zwreep, kit-kit-kit-kit, and a lower-pitched krowk.

How tall is a least tern?

Least Terns are the smallest North American terns. Adults average 8 to 10 inches in length, with a 20 inch wingspan. Their narrow, pointed wings make them streamlined flyers.

What does the least tern eat?

Least Terns feed almost entirely on small fish. They catch fish by diving, usually in fairly shallow water, often hovering briefly before diving. They also occasionally eat shrimp, tadpoles, flying insects, and ants.

What do black rails eat?

Food. Black Rails eat mostly small invertebrates as well as seeds of aquatic plants. They forage in shallow portions of marshes (usually with under an inch of water), walking among plants to glean insects and other invertebrates from the ground, the water, or the vegetation.