Black Tern

Chlidonias niger

A black bodied tern that is easily identifiable in South Dakota, especially in its dark breeding plumage.  The bird at the right is a first-summer young bird, and has similar plumage to a winter plumage adult.  They lead a unique life, nesting on freshwater marshes in the interior of North America, while wintering at sea around South America.  They gracefully pluck food items in flight from the surface of the water.  They will also chase flying insects, including those stirred up by farm equipment.

Habitat: Marshes, ponds, lakes, flooded fields

Diet: Mostly insects and fish, also frogs and tadpoles, earthworms, and crustaceans. 

Behavior: Forages while in flight, dipping down to the water's surface to grab food, or also by catching insects in mid-air.

Nesting: June

Breeding Map: Breeding Bird Survey Map

Song: Harsh kik-kik-kik-kik.

Migration: Summers in much of the northern Great Plains, the Great Lakes, and western U.S., as well as southern Canada.  Winters along northern coasts of South America.

Similar Species: Generally distinctive compared to other tern species in the state.

Conservation Status: Populations have declined sharply in the past 40 years, likely due to drainage of wetlands required for nesting.  Farm chemical runoff is another possible reason.

Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Black Tern

2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Black Tern"

3) eNature.com -- Black Tern

Photo Information: August 1st, 2004 -- Lake Thompson -- Terry Sohl

Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Black Tern photos.