Birds Active during the day

Black Tern

Chlidonias niger

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

A charcoal-colored gem of the wetlands, the Black Tern is a master of aerial acrobatics. This elegant migrant links the freshwater marshes of the north to the tropical coastlines of the south through its incredible annual journey.

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0 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

23-26 cm (9-10 in) length; 57-70 cm (22-28 in) wingspan; 50-60 g (1.8-2.1 oz)

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Colors

Breeding adults have a jet-black head, neck, and underbody with slate-gray wings and tail. Non-breeding adults and juveniles are mostly gray above and white below with a distinctive dark patch on the side of the head.

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Key Features

Sooty black head and belly in breeding plumage
Short, slightly notched tail unlike the deeply forked tails of other terns
Delicate, slender black bill
Buoyant, erratic flight style similar to a marsh hawk

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 6-10 AM, 4-8 PM

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Season May-August

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Diet Primarily insectivorous during the breeding season, catching dragonflies, damselflies, and moths mid-air. In winter and during migration, they shift to small fish and crustaceans.

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Habitat Inland freshwater marshes, wetlands, and lake margins for breeding; coastal estuaries and lagoons during winter.

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Where Does the Black Tern Live?

The Black Tern is a cosmopolitan traveler native to the Northern Hemisphere during the summer and the Southern Hemisphere during the winter. Its breeding range spans across the northern United States and central Canada, stretching across the Atlantic to include much of Europe and Western Asia, particularly Russia and the Caspian Sea region. As the seasons change, these birds undergo a massive migration to the tropical coastlines of South America and Africa, where they gather in large numbers along the rich, productive waters of the equator.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

12 Countries

35.8M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

US United States CA Canada Russia Ukraine PL Poland DE Germany NL Netherlands Kazakhstan BR Brazil PE Peru GH Ghana NG Nigeria

Elevation range

0 m1,000 m2,000 m4,000 m

Sea level – 2,000 m

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

Black Terns are remarkably agile flyers, characterized by a buoyant and somewhat erratic flight pattern that more closely resembles a swallow or a nighthawk than a typical seagull. Unlike most terns that dive into the water for food, Black Terns are 'dippers' and 'snatchers,' gracefully plucking insects from the air or the water's surface without getting their plumage wet. They are highly social, especially during the breeding season, nesting in loose colonies within the protection of dense marsh vegetation.

These birds are known for their spirited and vocal nature. During the nesting period, they are fiercely territorial and will aggressively dive-bomb any perceived intruders—including humans and larger birds—that venture too close to their floating nests. They communicate with sharp, metallic 'kik' or 'kyew' calls that often signal the presence of a colony before the birds themselves are even seen.

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Camera Tips

To capture high-quality footage of a Black Tern, your camera placement should focus on the 'edge' zones of freshwater marshes. Because these birds build floating nests made of decaying vegetation, placing a waterproof trail camera on a sturdy stake just a few inches above the water level in shallow, reedy areas is ideal. Ensure the camera is positioned to face an open pocket of water within the reeds, as this is where they are most likely to land or forage for insects.

Since Black Terns are incredibly fast and have an erratic flight path, traditional motion sensors may struggle to trigger in time. If your camera has a 'high-speed' or 'burst' mode, enable it to ensure you capture the moment of touchdown. A fast shutter speed is essential to prevent motion blur of their dark wings against the bright water. For the best lighting, aim your camera north or south to avoid the direct glare of the sun reflecting off the water during the peak morning and evening activity hours.

While you shouldn't use food bait for these insect-eaters, you can utilize 'habitat baiting' by choosing a location with high dragonfly or damselfly activity. Placing your camera near flowering aquatic plants like water lilies or pickerelweed can increase the likelihood of capturing foraging behavior. Be extremely careful when setting up equipment near nesting colonies; Black Terns are sensitive to disturbance, so use a telephoto lens or remote setup to maintain a respectful distance of at least 20-30 feet from actual nest sites.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Black Tern.

White-winged Tern

Breeding adults have strikingly white wings and a red bill, whereas Black Terns have gray wings and a black bill.

Whiskered Tern

Larger than the Black Tern with a distinctive white cheek stripe that contrasts with a dark cap.

Common Tern

Much larger with a deeply forked 'swallow tail' and primarily white/light-gray plumage year-round.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Black Terns are diurnal birds, most active during the daylight hours. Their peak activity usually occurs in the early morning and late afternoon when aquatic insects are most active near the water's surface.

Attracting Black Terns to a typical backyard is difficult unless you have a large, natural wetland or marsh on your property. They require expansive areas of standing water with emergent vegetation like cattails to feel secure enough to forage or nest.

During the summer breeding season, they primarily eat insects such as dragonflies and beetles caught in flight. During migration and winter, their diet shifts toward small fish and marine invertebrates found in coastal waters.

No, Black Terns are specialists of inland marshes and are rarely seen in suburban environments unless they are passing through during migration or if the suburb is located directly adjacent to a large, protected wetland.

During the summer, the Black Tern's dark sooty body is unmistakable compared to the white and light gray body of the Common Tern. In winter, look for the Black Tern's smaller size, shorter bill, and the dark patches on the sides of its white head.

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