Birds of the Massachusetts Coast

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"Count My Feathers!" -- The Least Tern (Sternula antillarum) is the smallest of the 14 species of terns (related to gulls) which breed in North America; adults measure 9 inches in length. They fly very actively, diving often into water to catch small fish. When breeding, as here at Allens Pond in June 2006, they are aggressive in defending their territory with swooping passes at any intruders–including photographers!
Copyright © 2006 John Van de Graaff

"Count My Feathers!" -- The Least Tern (Sternula antillarum) is the smallest of the 14 species of terns (related to gulls) which breed in North America; adults measure 9 inches in length. They fly very actively, diving often into water to catch small fish. When breeding, as here at Allens Pond in June 2006, they are aggressive in defending their territory with swooping passes at any intruders–including photographers!

Bird Photographs by John Van de Graaff