Black Tern
Chlidonias niger
The black tern is a small tern generally found in or near inland water that breeds in Europe, Western Asia and North America. In winter the birds migrate to coastal areas of Africa and South America.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_tern
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Charadriiformes
Family
Laridae
Genus
Chlidonias
Black Tern belongs to the family Laridae, order Charadriiformes, within the Aves class.
Species Profile
The black tern is a small tern generally found in or near inland water that breeds in Europe, Western Asia and North America. In winter the birds migrate to coastal areas of Africa and South America.
Black Terns face significant population declines across their range due to widespread wetland habitat loss and degradation from agricultural conversion, urban development, and water management practices. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering precipitation patterns and water levels in breeding marshes, while pollution and human disturbance at nesting sites further threaten reproductive success.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Shallow freshwater marshes, prairie potholes, flooded agricultural fields, and coastal lagoons with emergent vegetation such as cattails and sedges. During migration and winter, they utilize coastal waters, estuaries, and large inland water bodies.
Threats
Agricultural conversion of breeding areas
Wetland habitat loss and degradation
Climate change impacts on wetland hydrology
Pollution and eutrophication of water bodies
Water level fluctuations from dam operations
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (VU).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Black Tern (Chlidonias niger). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/black-tern