2013 Bonanza Bird #2

Gift-Giving Rituals of the Least Tern: A Unique Courtship Display

We're excited to continue our journey towards our 500th Birdorable species by introducing a new bird each day. Today, we're delighted to showcase the Least Tern, a remarkable and delicate bird that is part of our Birdorable Bonanza.

Birdorable Least Tern

The Least Tern is the smallest of the American terns and is easily recognized by its size, white forehead, black cap, and yellow bill. One of the most fascinating aspects of Least Tern behavior is their unique courtship ritual, which involves gift-giving. During the mating season, male terns engage in what is known as a "Fish Flight Display." In this display, a male tern carries a small fish in his bill, calls out while flying, and then performs a graceful gliding maneuver as he lands. This ritual often culminates in the male presenting the fish to a prospective female mate, a gesture that plays a crucial role in pair formation.

In the United States, the Least Tern is considered a species of concern in many states. This status is primarily due to habitat loss and disturbance at their traditional nesting sites. Least Terns typically nest on sandy beaches, but with the increasing loss of these natural habitats, they have adapted to use alternative nesting sites such as gravel-surfaced rooftops or man-made nesting platforms. Conservationists have been actively involved in providing these additional nesting habitats to help preserve the species. These efforts include creating safe and suitable environments for Least Terns to breed and raise their young, thus aiding in the conservation of this charming species.

Least Tern courtship 2-20120419
Least Tern courtship by Kenneth Cole Schneider (CC BY-ND 2.0)

Tomorrow our 2013 Bonanza continues with the addition of a small European songbird with a big personality.

bonanza-2013-preview-3

Cute Least Tern Gifts

Comments

Louise Warner on March 29, 2017 at 4:30 PM wrote:
crested tit?
Spurwing Plover on July 7, 2021 at 2:54 AM wrote:
A hit song from The Byrds TERN TERN TERN
Spurwing Plover on May 22, 2022 at 9:13 PM wrote:
Some years ago some Least Terns took upa a rea and Camp Penalton Marine Base they chlose a area with good protection

Leave a comment

Comments with links or HTML will be deleted. Your comment will be published pending approval.
Your email address will not be published

Baby Birdorable: Flamingo Week Edition

If you think our Birdorable birds are cute as adults, what about when they are babies? Below are some baby photos (shared via Flickr Creative Commons) of the American Flamingo and Greater Flamingo. The six species of flamingo have similar nesting habits. They all breed in colonies....

2020 Bonanza Bird #12: Pink-headed Fruit Dove

Today’s new addition to Birdorable is a colorful species in the dove family. The Pink-headed Fruit Dove joins our Birdorable Pigeons and Doves! Pink-headed Fruit Doves are easily recognized by their pinkish purple heads and green backs. Their breasts have a spiffy...

Gull Week Fun: Coloring Pages

We're celebrating the gulls of the world this week! These social, intelligent birds can be found all over the world. Today we're sharing some fun gull coloring pages! Gulls tend to have a lot of black, white, and grey in their plumage. The breeding plumage Ross's Gull,...

2017 Bonanza Bird #2: Clark's Nutcracker

Our 2017 12-day Birdorable Bonanza continues today with an iconic mountain species of the North American west: Clark's Nutcracker! Clark's Nutcrackers are in the corvid family, related to crows and jays. They are intelligent and gregarious birds found in western parts of...