Interior Least Tern

The Interior Least Tern is primarily a fish-eater, feeding in shallow waters of rivers, streams, and lakes. The birds are opportunistic and tend to select any small fish within a certain size range. Aug 2, 2015 · Interior Least Tern (athalassos) breeds in inland North America, primarily along the Mississippi River and its tributaries. Two less well-known subspecies, mexicana and staebleri, occur. Mar 1, 2022 · 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. Explore the information. Apr 10, 2015 · The interior least tern was listed as a federally endangered species in 1985, due to the loss of nesting habitat from dramatic alterations (channelization and impoundment) of important river. Feb 18, 2021 · The inland population of America’s littlest tern recently left the endangered species list. Here's how conservationists brought the birds back.

Interior least terns are the smallest American terns. Sexes are alike, characterized by a black-capped crown, white forehead, grayish back and dorsal wing surfaces, orange legs, and an orange to yellow bill. Breeding Range: Interior Least Terns' breeding range stretches across the interior of the United States along the Mississippi, Missouri, and Rio Grande Rivers and their tributaries. Nesting habitat includes. The Least Tern is the world's smallest tern—it weighs in at about the same size as a mockingbird. The "interior" Least Tern, which nests in the vast Mississippi River drainage, was listed as Endangered in. Interior least terns may live up to 21 years. The interior least tern is an integral part of the fauna of Nebraska and, historically, flourished along the Missouri River and its tributaries including the Platte.