Black Tern

Chlidonias niger

(C. n. niger)

Armenian Name:	Սև ջրածիծառ
Species Status:	Threatened Species - Species of Special Concern

See Plate 33 for Black Tern and other similar species

Resident Status:	Breeding bird
Abundance:	Rare
Length:	22-24 cm, Wing Span:64-68 cm
Distribution Map:	Map 165.
Description:	Narrow black bill.
Adult (Breeding):	Black body with gray wings; uniform pale gray rump and tail.
Adult (Non-breeding):	White body with dark patches on sides of breast and black head pattern.
Juvenile:	Blackish cap, mottled brown back, and dark patch on sides of breast.
Similar Species:	Differs from Whiskered and White-winged Terns by uniform pale gray rump and tail; in juvenile and non-breeders, by dark patch on sides of breast.
Behavior:	Picks food from surface in buoyant flight.
Habitat:	Fish ponds, lakes, slow-flowing rivers.
Food:	Aquatic invertebrates, fish.
Nest:	Platform on floating vegetation.
Eggs:	35 mm, 2-4, pale yellow-brown, dark brown spots.