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Sternula antillarum antillarum

Lesson, 1847

Eastern Least Tern

TNRTNR (G4TNRQ) Found in 7 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
TNRTNRGlobal Rank
Least Tern (Sternula antillarum antillarum). © Dorian Anderson; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library.
© Dorian Anderson; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library
Least Tern (Sternula antillarum antillarum). © Will Sweet; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library.
© Will Sweet; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library
Least Tern (Sternula antillarum antillarum). © Christopher Lindsey; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library.
© Christopher Lindsey; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library
Least Tern (Sternula antillarum antillarum). © Kyle Tansley; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library.
© Kyle Tansley; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library
Least Tern (Sternula antillarum antillarum). © Matt Felperin; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library.
© Matt Felperin; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library
Least Tern (Sternula antillarum antillarum). © Nathaniel Sharp; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library.
© Nathaniel Sharp; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library
Least Tern (Sternula antillarum antillarum). Photo by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Public Domain (U.S. Government Work), via ECOS.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, https://www.usa.gov/government-works
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.1326728
Element CodeABNNM08104
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSubspecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassAves
OrderCharadriiformes
FamilyLaridae
GenusSternula
Synonyms
Sterna albifrons antillarum(Lesson, 1847)
Concept Reference
American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). 1957. The AOU check-list of North American birds, 5th ed. Port City Press, Inc., Baltimore, MD. 691 pp.
Taxonomic Comments
The American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU) recognizes three subspecies: S. a. browni from California, the Eastern, S. a. antillarum, and the Interior, S. a. athalassos (AOU 1957).
Ecology & Habitat
Other Nations (1)
United StatesNNR
ProvinceRankNative
MississippiS3BYes
LouisianaS3BYes
Roadless Areas (7)
Arkansas (2)
AreaForestAcres
Bear MountainOuachita National Forest1,910
Little BlakelyOuachita National Forest3,342
Illinois (2)
AreaForestAcres
Clear SpringsShawnee National Forest11
Ripple HollowShawnee National Forest3,788
North Carolina (2)
AreaForestAcres
Catfish Lake NorthCroatan National Forest11,299
Pocosin AdditionCroatan National Forest286
South Carolina (1)
AreaForestAcres
Wambaw ExtFrancis Marion National Forest527
References (4)
  1. American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). 1957. The AOU check-list of North American birds, 5th ed. Port City Press, Inc., Baltimore, MD. 691 pp.
  2. Draheim, H. M., M. P. Miller, P. Baird, and S. M. Haig. 2010. Subspecific status and population genetic structure of least terns (<i>Sternula antillarum</i>) inferred by mitochondrial DNA control-region sequences and microsatellite DNA. The Auk 127(4):807-819.
  3. Gill, F., D. Donsker, and P. Rasmussen (Eds). 2024. IOC World Bird List (v14.2). doi: 10.14344/IOC.ML.14.1.
  4. Whittier, J. B., D. M. Leslie Jr, and R. A. Van Den Bussche. 2006. Genetic variation among subspecies of Least Tern (Sterna antillarum): implications for conservation. Waterbirds 29(2):176-184.