black tern

Black terns are small, short-tailed seabirds belonging to the genus Chlidonias. They are characterized by their largely dark gray or black plumage and breed in marshy environments. These terns are part of the larger family of terns (Sterninae), which are slender, graceful water birds found worldwide along seacoasts and inland waters.12

Terns, in general, range from white to black in color and have long, pointed wings and forked tails. They primarily feed on crustaceans and small fish, which they catch by diving into the water. Terns are gregarious and often nest in large colonies, typically on the ground. The black tern specifically nests inland on freshwater marshes and around lakes, distinguishing it as a marsh tern.2