Black Tern
VU

Black Tern

Chlidonias niger

UnknownLCEULCEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_tern

Overview

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.

Threat summary

Habitat

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.

FRESHWATER· majorMARINE· majorTERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Laridae

Greater Black-backed GullVU

Greater Black-backed Gull

Larus marinus

Unknown
Scandinavian Lesser Black-backed GullVU

Scandinavian Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscus

Unknown
Caspian TernCR

Caspian Tern

Hydroprogne caspia

Unknown
Little GullCR

Little Gull

Hydrocoloeus minutus

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Black Tern classified as Vulnerable?
Black Tern is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. 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.
Where does Black Tern live?
Black Tern occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Black Tern?
The main threats to Black Tern are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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