Least Tern

Status Rare vagrant. Andrew Downs obtained a specimen from Alton, Colchester County, on 1 September 1879 (Jones 1885), and the bird appears to have been a frequent stray to Sable Island at the turn of the twentieth century (McLaren 1981a). One was taken at Barrington, Shelburne County, on 28 August 1924 immediately following a heavy southerly gale. Three birds were seen and one collected at Grand Desert, Halifax County, on 13-15 August 1970, and two more were observed on 26 August 1970 at Big Island Pictou County. In 1971, single birds were reported from Three Fathom Harbour, Halifax County, on 16 August and from Seal Island on 25 August. Individuals were seen at Brier Island on 9 May 1980; at Caribou Island, Pictou County, on 10 July 1983; and at Seal Island on 1-7 September 1983; and two birds were seen on Sable Island on 11 September 1984.

Remarks These tiny terns resemble our larger nesting species, but the adults have white foreheads and yellow bills and feet. Hurried flight regularly interspersed with hovering is characteristic. They are widespread in temperate and tropical regions; in eastern North America they breed from the Caribbean north to southern Maine.

There once was a commercial demand for its plumage to satisfy the millinery trade, which resulted in a marked diminution in its numbers over North America. Despite subsequent protective legislation, the population has never regained its former size.