Photo: Original: Fanny98716; this edit: MPF / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Little White Tern
Gygis microrhyncha
Little White Tern (Gygis microrhyncha) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Oceans & Seabirds.
The Little White Tern (Gygis microrhyncha) is a member of the Laridae family found in Oceans & Seabirds. Adults weigh 117 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Charadriiformes
- Family Laridae Gulls, Terns, Skimmers
- Genus Gygis
- Species microrhyncha
Where it lives
TrO Phoenix (central Polynesia), Line and Marquesas is. (northeastern Polynesia)
Quick facts
- Weight
- 117 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Laridae
- Order
- Charadriiformes
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Endangered
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Little White Tern hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
And is frequently seen soaring overhead in flight.
Migration
The Little White Tern is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The Little White Tern (Gygis microrhyncha) belongs to the Laridae family of the order Charadriiformes. It occurs naturally across Oceans & Seabirds. Its distribution covers TrO Phoenix (c Polynesia), Line and Marquesas is. (ne Polynesia).
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 117 g, with a wing length of about 21.5 cm and a tail of around 7.7 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 1,687 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Little White Tern?
The Little White Tern is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 117 g.
Where does the Little White Tern live?
The Little White Tern is found across Oceans & Seabirds with a range covering TrO Phoenix (c Polynesia), Line and Marquesas is. (ne Polynesia).
What family does the Little White Tern belong to?
The Little White Tern (Gygis microrhyncha) belongs to the Laridae family, in the order Charadriiformes.
What does the Little White Tern eat?
The Little White Tern hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Little White Tern migrate?
The Little White Tern is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
Is the Little White Tern endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the Little White Tern's range?
The Little White Tern has a mapped global range of about 1,687 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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