Terns Sternidae
7 genera are recognized in the family, of which 2 are so far listed below. There are 44 species, of which 1 is critically endangered, 2 are endangered, and another 5 are near-threatened. Terns are found on every continent. Some authors treat the terns as a subfamily of the gulls Laridae.


Sterna

There are 33 species within this genus. The Chinese Crested Tern Sterna bernsteini is considered critically endangered, the Peruvian Tern Sterna lorate and Black-fronted Tern Sterna albostriata are endangered, and the Elegant Tern Sterna elegans, Kerguelen Tern Sterna virgata, Damara Tern Sterna balaenarum, and Black-bellied Tern Sterna acuticauda are all near-threatened.

The Forster's Tern Sterna forsteri breeds exclusively in North America. They winter south of their breeding range to as far south as Panama. This adult breeding plumaged Forster's Tern with a fish in its bill was photographed at Huntington Beach, California, USA.




Childonias

There are 3 species within this genus.

The Black Tern Childonias niger breeds in freshwater marshes across much of Canada and the northern United States. They migrate south to the coasts of northern South America for the winter. They also breed in much of Europe and western Asia, migrating south to Africa after breeding. The two populations may someday be recognizd as seperate species. This juvenile Black Tern was photographed at Willcox, Arizona, USA.





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