Status in UK:
(A) Migrant Breeder, Passage Visitor
Subspecies:albifrons recorded in Britain (of 3 subsp. in the world)
.
Length:
23 cm
Wingspan:
52 cm
Weight:
M/F: 56 g
Scientific name from:
diminutive of Old English: stearn=a tern
and L.: albus=white + frons=brow
World Distribution:
BREEDS: Eurasia & Australasia, WINTERS: s Europe, s Asia, Africa, Australasia
Habitat:
Seacoasts, rivers & lakes
Diet:
Small fish and invertebrates, often hovers before plunge-diving
TitBit:
Nesting birds on beaches are sensitive to disturbance, and their eggs and chicks are so well camouflaged they can be near invisible, even when one knows they are there so colonies are most successful when access is restricted
Population and Distribution
Population Trend:
No population trend available
Distribution:
No distribution maps available
British Population Size:
Summer:
1947 pairs
in 1998-02
First Record:
1671
Latest Survey:
Mitchell, P.I. et al. (2004) Seabird populations of Britain and Ireland Poyser, London
Conservation Status: AMBER
because
Species of European Concern,
Recent Breeding Range Decline (1969-2007),
Localised Breeding Population,
These data should be cited as: Robinson, R.A. (2005) BirdFacts: profiles of birds occurring in Britain & Ireland (v1.24, June 2009). BTO Research Report 407, BTO, Thetford (http://www.bto.org/birdfacts)
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Other Names
