(Sternula antillarum athalassos)
The Interior Least Tern is a state and federally protected endangered species. It is the smallest tern in North America. The Interior Least Tern is an energetic, swallow-like bird with a deeply forked tail and slender wings. They are graceful, agile flyers and are often observed hovering over bodies of water and diving to catch small fish.
Interior Least Terns are:
- slightly smaller than a robin
- 9 inches long from beak to tail
- 20 inches from wing tip to wing tip
Appearance
Breeding Adult |
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white body |
black cap with white forehead |
light gray wings |
yellow bill with black tip |
yellow-orange legs |
Winter Adult |
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paler than breeding birds |
dark grey eye strip |
white forehead with dusky brown cap |
brownish-black bill |
pale yellow legs |
Age
Juvenile (1 years old) |
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closely resembles winter adult |
mottled gray-white body |
white forehead with dusky brown cap |
dark bill |
orange-black legs |
