Birds of North America

Terns

Sterna & Chlidonias

Lives, Habitats & Pictures of the Terns

There are at least seventeen types of terns, including the native and vagrant species, that have been seen in North America. These differnt types are closely matched, with a portion seen over different areas of the continent and the other seen around the coast lines and out at sea. Almost all species of terns are black and white, in most cases more white than black. In the tern family there are two types of noddies, the Brown Noddy and the Black Noddy.

With their long pointed wings and long tail feathers, terns fly over water,like swallows fly over land. With quick agile manoeuvring, these birds dart through the air, diving into water, capturing its prey by piercing them their pointed bills.Terns are known for their great distances travelled during migration, especially the Arctic Tern, which flys to the Antarctic every fall, and return to the Arctic every spring.

Here is a list Terns seen in North America, native and vagrant birds included;

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Return Terns back to Birds of North America

Classic Collection of North American Birds