Birds
Zwarte stern in vlucht boven water

Black Tern

Black Tern

50
10 hours ago door Judith
Spotted
The Black Tern is a small, agile tern of inland wetlands, known for its dark sooty-grey body in breeding plumage and buoyant, often erratic flight. It primarily feeds on insects, frequently caught in flight.
Where to spot
Found in freshwater marshes, lakes, and slow-moving rivers in North America and Europe for breeding. They winter along coastal areas of South America and Africa.
How to spot
In breeding plumage, look for the dark head, body, and underwings with a contrasting pale tail. In non-breeding plumage, they are paler, but still retain a dark patch behind the eye and maintain their distinctive, graceful flight. Watch for their almost butterfly-like flight as they chase insects.
When to spot
Best observed during their breeding season from late spring to summer in their northern range. They can also be seen during spring and autumn migration periods.
Black Tern
Zwarte stern in vlucht boven water
Black Tern
Credits: hans zwitzer
Zwarte stern in vlucht boven water
Credits: By Cephas - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10803886
Black Terns rarely plunge-dive for fish, preferring to scoop insects from the water's surface or catch them mid-air, a feeding strategy more akin to swallows or gulls than typical terns.
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Spotted

Recently spotted
3375 (Seen in the last 3 months)
Last spotted
10 hours ago door Judith

Monthly observations

52 observations
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Judith
Judith
10 hours ago
Black Tern
Wilsum, Overijssel
Spotted Black Tern
Spotted Black Tern
+6
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2
L
Lorenzo
1 day ago
Black Tern
Marsaglia, Piemonte
Spotted Black Tern
Spotted Black Tern
+65
Lifer
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Bert
Bert
2 days ago
Black Tern
Reeve, Overijssel
Spotted Black Tern
Spotted Black Tern
+25
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Bert
Bert
1 week ago
Black Tern
Kampen, Overijssel
Spotted Black Tern
Spotted Black Tern
+50
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K
Koos Kugel
1 week ago
Black Tern
Noordlaren, Groningen
Spotted Black Tern
Spotted Black Tern
+85
Groep van ong 40
Lifer
Observation Champion
New badge!
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Judith
Judith
1 week ago
Black Tern
Kamperveen, Overijssel
Spotted Black Tern
Spotted Black Tern
+0
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Judith
Judith
1 week ago
Black Tern
Kampen, Overijssel
Spotted Black Tern
Spotted Black Tern
+25
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Judith
Judith
1 week ago
Black Tern
Kampen, Overijssel
Spotted Black Tern
Spotted Black Tern
+50
Yes yes yes!!!
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