Black Tern
Chlidonias niger
The Black Tern is a rare but intriguing summer visitor to Britain, typically seen near inland waters, particularly during May and June, and again in July and August when birds are on migration. It is most often encountered in the eastern and southern parts of the country.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Black Tern in the field.
At a glance, the Black Tern can be identified by its dark grey to black upperparts, white underside, and a distinctive white forehead patch, as well as its slender, forked tail. Its dark colouration and agile flight also help distinguish it from other tern species.
The Black Tern is smaller than a Starling, measuring approximately 25cm in length, which is comparable to the size of a large swallow.
The male Black Tern has a sleek, dark grey to black plumage during the breeding season, with a white forehead patch and white undersides, while in winter, it develops a more mottled grey and white appearance.
The female Black Tern's plumage is similar to that of the male, with no significant seasonal or sexual variations in colouration or pattern.
The Black Tern's call is a sharp, high-pitched "kyik" or "kip", often repeated in a series, which is a distinctive and memorable sound.
Black Terns are agile and swift flyers, feeding on insects and small fish by hawking or dipping into the water, and they often roost in large flocks on the ground or on floating vegetation.
The Black Tern can be confused with the White-winged Black Tern, but the latter has a more extensive white wing bar and a different call, while the Common Tern has a more robust build, a red bill, and a distinctive "kirrik" call.
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