Overview

Least terns are the smallest member of the gull and tern family. They are approximately 9" in length. Unlike gulls, terns will dive into the water for small fish. The body of least terns is predominately gray and white, with black streaking on the head. Least terns have a forked tail and narrow pointed wings. Least terns less than a year old have less distinctive black streaking on the head and less of a forked tail.

Scientific Name

Sterna antillarum
Common Name
Least Tern
FWS Category
Birds
Kingdom

Location in Taxonomic Tree

Identification Numbers

TSN:

Geography

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Timeline

Explore the information available for this taxon's timeline. You can select an event on the timeline to view more information, or cycle through the content available in the carousel below.

8 Items

Listing

Listing

Correction

Listing

Listing

Five Year Review

Delisting

Delisting

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Listing

Dec 30, 1982

Dec 30, 1982 Listing
Review of Vertebrate Wildlife for Listing as End. or Thr. Species
  • Publication type: CNOR
Item 1

Listing

Jan 20, 1984

Jan 20, 1984 Listing (Warranted But Precluded)
Findings on Pending Petitions & Description of Progress on Listing Actions; 49 FR 2485-2488
  • Publication type: 12m petition finding
Item 2

Correction

Feb 16, 1984

Feb 16, 1984 Correction
(Correction) Findings on Pending Petitions & Description of Progress on Listing Actions; 49 FR 5…
  • Publication type: Notice
Item 3

Listing

May 29, 1984

May 29, 1984 Listing (Endangered)
Interior Least Tern Proposed as End.; 49 FR 22444-22447
  • Publication type: Proposed
Item 4

Listing

May 28, 1985

May 28, 1985 Listing (Endangered)
Interior Population of Least Tern to be Endangered; 50 FR 21784-21792
  • Publication type: Final
Item 5

Five Year Review

Apr 22, 2008

Apr 22, 2008 Five Year Review (Information Solicitation)
Notice of initiation of review; request for information on seven listed midwestern species
  • Publication type: Notice
Item 6

Delisting

Oct 24, 2019

Oct 24, 2019 Delisting
Removal of the Interior Least Tern From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
  • Publication type: Proposed
Item 7

Delisting

Jan 13, 2021

Jan 13, 2021 Delisting
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removal of the Interior Least Tern From the Federal L…
  • Publication type: Final
Item 8