Caspian Tern
Hydroprogne caspia
The Caspian tern is the world's largest species of tern, with a subcosmopolitan but scattered distribution. Despite its extensive range, it is monotypic of its genus, and has no accepted subspecies.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caspian_tern
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Charadriiformes
Family
Laridae
Genus
Hydroprogne
Caspian Tern belongs to the family Laridae, order Charadriiformes, within the Aves class.
Species Profile
The Caspian tern is the world's largest species of tern, with a subcosmopolitan but scattered distribution. Despite its extensive range, it is monotypic of its genus, and has no accepted subspecies. The genus name is from Ancient Greek hudro-, "water-", and Latin progne, "swallow". The specific caspia is from Latin and, like the English name, refers to the Caspian Sea.
The Caspian Tern faces severe threats from habitat loss due to coastal development, human disturbance at breeding colonies, and climate change impacts on nesting sites. Rising sea levels and increased storm intensity threaten low-lying coastal breeding areas, while pollution and overfishing reduce prey availability in critical feeding waters.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Large inland lakes, coastal lagoons, estuaries, and marine waters, typically nesting on isolated islands, sandy beaches, and artificial structures like dredge spoil islands. Requires open water areas with abundant fish populations for foraging and undisturbed sites with sparse vegetation for colonial nesting.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Caspian Tern faces severe threats from habitat loss due to coastal development, human disturbance at breeding colonies, and climate change impacts on nesting sites. Rising sea levels and increased storm intensity threaten low-lying coastal breeding areas, while pollution and overfishing reduce prey availability in critical feeding waters.
Climate change and sea level rise
Coastal habitat loss and development
Human disturbance at breeding colonies
Pollution and prey depletion
Invasive species at nesting sites
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | 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). Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/caspian-tern