Your wildlife photography guide.
Explore the black tern in detail, study its behavior, prepare your shots.
Where to observe and photograph the black tern in the wild
Learn where and when to spot the black tern in the wild, how to identify the species based on distinctive features, and what natural environments it inhabits. The WildlifePhotographer app offers tailored photography tips that reflect the black tern’s behavior, helping you capture better wildlife images. Explore the full species profile for key information including description, habitat, active periods, and approach techniques.
Black tern
Scientific name: Chlidonias niger
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Family: LARIDAE
Group: Birds
Sensitivity to human approach: Very shy
Minimum approach distance: 10 m
Courtship display: April to June
Incubation: 18–20 jours
Hatchings: April to June
Habitat:
Freshwater wetlands, marshes and shallow lakes
Activity period :
Primarily active during the day, with peak activity in the morning and late afternoon.
Identification and description:
The black tern is a small tern of 23–26 cm with contrasting black and white breeding plumage and a slender body. It inhabits freshwater wetlands, marshes and shallow lakes, feeding on insects and small fish caught in flight by pattering over the water surface. During breeding, it nests on floating vegetation, lays 2–4 eggs and defends its territory with swift aerial displays and sharp calls.
Recommended lens:
300 mm – adjust based on distance, desired framing (portrait or habitat), and approach conditions.
Photography tips:
Position yourself at the edge of reedbeds or on a waterside hide, wait for the tern’s pattering flight to capture the water splashes. Shoot early morning with a fast shutter speed to freeze the spray and use a shallow depth of field to isolate the bird against the wetland backdrop.
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