Parques de Portugal

<p> <em>Sternula albifrons</em>&nbsp;(Pallas, 1764)</p>

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  • Little tern

  • Sternula albifrons (Pallas, 1764)

  • Sternidae

  • The little tern is the smallest tern in Europe. It is a slim sea bird, with a long and pointy beak, long and pointy wings, long, bifurcated tail and short legs. It exhibits a grey plumage on its dorsal surface, with black spots on its head (in the shape of a mask and cap) and on the tip of the wings and white forehead. The male exhibits, during the mating season, an orange beak and legs. It can grow to be 25 cm long and have 47 cm span.

  • Ria Formosa Nature Park

    Estuário do Tejo Nature Reserve

    Estuário do Sado Nature Reserve

    Lagoas de Santo André e da Sancha Nature Reserve

    Sapal de C. Marim e V. R. Sto. António Nature Reserve

  • Lisboa e Vale do Tejo

    Algarve

    Alentejo

  • Vulnerable

  • Not endemic

  • On the coast, in low depth areas, namely on coastal ponds, beaches and dunes, sea, small rivers, marshlands and salt lakes.

  • Spring and Summer

  • Feeds on small fish, crustaceans and other invertebrates. The fish are hunted with swift and quick dives.

  • The Portuguese population of this species is estimated to be between 350 and 750 couples.