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
Habitat Occupancy (in the Breeding Season):
No habitat data from BBS
European Population Size:
Summer:
28 to 41 thousand pairs
Population Assesment from Birds in Europe
Distribution in Europe
Listed on the Appendices/Schedules of:
WCA(I), WBD(I), Bern(III), Bonn(II), AEWA
Survey Results:
BirdTrack
Seabird 2000 (warning: link to large pdf)
Breeding and Survival
Egg Size:
32 x 24 mm
Egg Weight:
9.6 g (of which 6 % is shell)
Number of Nest Records:
223
Clutch Size:
2 - 3 eggs
Incubation:
18 - 22 days
by the:
Male + Female
Fledging:
19 - 20 days
as:
Semi-precocial, downy
First Clutches Laid:
Unavailable
Number of Broods:
1
Number Ringed:
476
Adult Survival:
No data
Juvenile Survival:
No data
Age at First Breeding:
3
years
Typical Lifespan:
No data
Maximum Recorded Age:
17yr9m
(Germany: 23yr 11m)
Biometrics
Ring Size:
B+
Wing Length
Adult:
Insufficient Data.
Juvenile:
Insufficient Data.
Male:
Insufficient Data
Female:
Insufficient Data
Weight
Adult:
Insufficient Data.
Juvenile:
Insufficient Data.
Male:
Insufficient Data
Female:
Insufficient Data
Other Names
Previously Sterna albifrons
Gaelic:
Steàrnag-bheag
Welsh:
Morwennol Fechan
Danish:
Dværgterne
Dutch:
Dwergstern
Finnish:
Pikkutiira
French:
Sterne naine
German:
Zwergseeschwalbe
Hungarian:
Kis csér
Icelandic:
Dvergþerna
Irish:
Geabhróg Bheag
Italian:
Fraticello
Norwegian:
Dvergterne
Polish:
Rybitwa bialoczelna
Portuguese:
Andorinha-do-mar-anã
Spanish:
Charrancito
Swedish:
Småtärna
For More Information...
Books and Monographs:
Fasola, M. et al. 2002 BWP Update 4:89-114
Marples, G. & Marples, A. 1934 The sea terns or sea swallows Country Life Books, London
[598.616 MAR]
See Also:
Wikipedia entry
State of the Nations Birds by Chris Mead
Recent sightings and information from BirdGuides.com
These data should be cited as: Robinson, R.A. (2005) BirdFacts: profiles of birds occurring in Britain & Ireland (v1.22, Oct 2008). BTO Research Report 407, BTO, Thetford (http://www.bto.org/birdfacts)
button; for sources point at the 
button
Other Names
