Measurements
Both Sexes
- Length
- 13–16.1 in
33–41 cm - Weight
- 3.2–4.9 oz
90–140 g
Other Names
- Sterne de Dougall (French)
- Charrán Rosada, Gaviotina, Palometa (Spanish)
Cool Facts
- In Roseate Terns that breed in the Northeast, the bill is black in May, becomes progressively redder from the base toward the tip during June and July, and turns blacker again in August. In Caribbean birds, the bill is one-third to one-half red in May, and becomes mostly red during June and July.
- Once heavily collected for the plume trade, and vulnerable to egg collectors, Roseate Tern numbers increased following the protection of colonies in North America. Breeding colonies in the Caribbean are still vulnerable to eggers, who preferentially seek the eggs of this species because of supposed aphrodisiac properties.
Habitat
Shore-line
Breeds on rocky offshore islands, barrier beaches, and salt marsh islands. Winters offshore or along coasts.
Food
Fish
Small fish. Some invertebrates.
Nesting
Nesting Facts
- Clutch Size
- 1–5 eggs
- Egg Description
- Brown with dark speckles and streaks.
- Condition at Hatching
- Downy, eyes open, able to walk but stays in nest.
Nest Description
Scrape in ground.
Nest Placement
Ground
Behavior
Surface Dive
Plunges into water from flight; may hover briefly before plunging.
Conservation
Least Concern
The Canadian Wildlife Service lists Roseate Tern as Threatened. The U.S. Department of Interior lists the northeastern population as Endangered and the Caribbean population as Threatened, and the global status of the Roseate Tern is considered “near Threatened.â€
Credits
- Gochfeld, M., J. Burger, and I. C. T. Nisbet. 1998. Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii). In The Birds of North America, No. 370 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.