Tern

About

How tern lives

Terns are agile seabirds that hover, plunge, and migrate across coasts and open seas. Some terns migrate extraordinary distances between breeding and wintering areas. Coastal species are often adapted to tides, wind exposure, and rapidly changing shorelines.

Conservation

Status and habitat pressure

Stable populations still depend on habitat quality, food availability, and low human pressure. Protecting tern also depends on keeping coast, ocean habitats healthy and connected.

Common species still depend on habitat quality, clean water, food webs, and low disturbance.

Quick Facts

Things to notice

• Some terns migrate extraordinary distances between breeding and wintering areas.
• Bird bones are adapted for efficient movement, balancing strength with low weight.
• Coastal species are often adapted to tides, wind exposure, and rapidly changing shorelines.
• Stable populations still depend on habitat quality, food availability, and low human pressure.