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SCIENTIFIC NAME
COMMON NAME
THUMBNAILS
Kingdom Animalia
Click to hear the call  Click to watch the video
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Ciconiiformes
Family Laridae
Genus Sterna
Species albifrons
Classification Pallas, 1764
Common name little tern
Size 22 - 24 centimeters
Wing Span 48 - 55 centimeters
Male weight 50 - 65 grams
Female weight 50 - 65 grams

Geographic Range it nests at all middle and low latitudes in North America, Eurasia, Australia, but also in tropical and sub tropical areas in Caraibi, South Africa, Southern India, Sri Lanka, Asia.
Physical Characteristics it is the smallest species among Sterna genus. The head is white, with mask and top of the head black .
The beak is entirely yellow, only the tip is black. The claws are orange. The plumage is grey, only the tip of the wings is dark. Wings are narrow and tail is forked.
Habitat it lives in wide sandy beaches.
Food habits it eats small fishes, insects, crustaceans.
Migration terns that nest in Europe migrate toward the west Africa coasts during winter. Probably they spend the winter in the Guinea gulf, an area rich of small fishes.
Nidification it nests in small colonies on sandy beaches. Both parents hatch the eggs (1-3) for 17-22 days.

Sources  
References JNCC - Nature conservation adviser to UK Government
Oiseax.net
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
Web References http://www.jncc.gov.uk/
http://www.oiseaux.net
http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/
Source of the photo http://www.mangoverde.com/
Source of the call http://www.oiseaux.net
Source of the video http://www.hbw.com/ibc

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