Black Tern

Chlidonias niger

Black Terns breed in freshwater marshes across most of Canada, the northern United States and much of Europe and western Asia. Some scientists believe the North American subspecies (C. n. surinamensis) is a separate species. In the Americas, these birds usually spend winters in northern South America.

Capturing images of Black Terns in flight is a tricky proposition. Their movements are so airy and buoyant; they easily pop out of the frame. If observation is the only goal, it is exceptionally entertaining to watch the birds forage on the wing.

Studies show that since 1966 the population of Black Terns has decline by 2% a year and overall populations have been reduced by 57% between that time and 2014. Factors such as loss of habitat due to draining wetlands for agriculture and pesticide runoff are believed to be the likely causes of the decline.

Black Tern - Chlidonias niger — **Black Tern**
*(Chlidonias niger)*

**Description:**
Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California.
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**Date Taken:** 2011:11:02 13:32

**Location:**

W F V Z
Camarillo, California
United States
124.68 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/0

**File Name:** D3X4755-BlackTern

© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging

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Pin It — **Black Tern**
*(Chlidonias niger)*

**Description:**
Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2011:11:02 13:32

**Location:**

W F V Z
Camarillo, California
United States
124.68 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/0

**File Name:** D3X4755-BlackTern

© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging

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