(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species tern, common
Species Id M040181
Date 26 AUG 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - tern, common
OTHER COMMON NAMES -
ELEMENT CODE - 04/06/84
AOU CODE - 10/23/85
03/31/88
CATEGORY - Birds
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - Chordata,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - Aves,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - Charadriiformes,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - Laridae, Sterninae
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - Sterna,
SPECIES AND SSP - hirundo,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - Sterna hirundo
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species tern, common
Species Id M040181
Date 26 AUG 96
STATUS
Coded Status
Federal Migratory
Nongame-Protected
REFERENCES FOR STATUS - 758
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
Breeds commonly on the coast of the Eastern Shore. Common transient and
summer resident on coast and in the Bay. Less common transient inland,
rare winter visitor.*8511*
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Distribution
Species tern, common
Species Id M040181
Date 26 AUG 96
DISTRIBUTION
References on County Occurrence - 610, 510, 059, 153, 179, 630, 177, 099, 033, 085, 101, 193, 159, 057, 097, 133, 103, 119, 087, 760, 127, 073, 115, 041, 036, 095, 830, 570, 730, 670, 149, 181, 199, 700, 650, 053, 183, 081, 595, 175, 620, 093, 800, 740, 710, 550, 810, 001, 131, CB1, CB2, CB3, AO1, 999, 003, 005, 007, 009, 011, 013, 015, 017, 019, 021, 023, 025, 027, 029, 035, 037, 043, 045, 047, 049, 051, 061, 063, 065, 067, 069, 071, 075, 077, 079, 083, 089, 091, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 117, 121, 125, 131, 135, 137, 139, 141, 143, 145, 147, 155, 157, 161, 163, 165, 167, 169, 171, 173, 185, 187, 191, 195, 197, 515, 520, 530, 540, 560, 580, 590, 600, 640, 660, 678, 680, 683, 685, 690, 720, 735, 750, 770, 775, 780, 790, 820 and 999
References on Seasonal Occurrence - Common transient and summer resident on coast and in
Chesapeake Bay; rare transient inland *700* Peak counts occcur along
the coastal barrier islands in January. *8511*
References on County Abundance - 001, 003, 005, 007, 009, 011, 013, 015, 017, 019, 021, 023, 025, 027, 029, 031, 033, 035, 036, 037, 041, 043, 045, 047, 049, 051, 053, 057, 059, 061, 063, 065, 067, 069, 071, 073, 075, 077, 079, 081, 083, 085, 087, 089, 091, 093, 095, 097, 099, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 121, 125, 127, 131, 133, 135, 137, 139, 141, 143, 145, 147, 149, 153, 155, 157, 159, 161, 163, 165, 167, 169, 171, 173, 175, 177, 179, 181, 183, 185, 187, 191, 193, 195, 197, 199, 510, 515, 520, 530, 540, 550, 560, 570, 580, 590, 595, 600, 610, 620, 630, 640, 650, 660, 670, 678, 680, 683, 685, 690, 700, 710, 720, 730, 735, 740, 750, 760, 770, 775, 780, 790, 800, 810, 820, 830, 840, CB1, CB2, CB3, AO1 and 999
REFERENCES FOR HYDROLOGIC UNIT CODES - 001, 131, 133, 103, 115, 073, 199, 095, 181, 093, 650, 700, 800, 740, 550, 710 and 810
OTHER DISTRIBUTION
REFERENCES FOR OTHER DISTRIBUTION - H
Comments on Distribution -
Common transient and summer resident on coast and in the Bay. Less common
transient inland, rare winter visitor.*8511*
Distribution - 1 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - Riparian
REFERENCES FOR HABITAT - 1168
LAND USE -
Water
Streams and Canals
Lakes
Reservoirs
Bays and Estuaries
Wetland
Nonforested Wetland
Barren Land
Chesapeake Bay
Beaches
Sandy Areas other than Beaches
REFERENCES FOR LAND USE - 1168, 3619 and 3632
NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES
NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC
Marine, intertidal BB1 S
Marine, intertidal BB2
Marine, subtidal OW0
Estuarine, subtidal OW0
Estuarine, intertidal BB1
Estuarine, intertidal BB2
Estuarine, intertidal FL2
REFERENCES FOR NWI - 1168, 3619, 3632, 487 and 1024
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
Nests on sandy beaches, spoil banks; feeds in open ocean,
beaches, inlets, saltmarshes, tidal creeks *1168,487*
ANIMAL/PLANT SPECIES ASSOCIATIONS -
3620
POTENTIAL NATURAL VEGETATION -
065 Northern Cordgrass Prairie (Distichlis-Spartina)
094 Mixed Mesophytic Forest (Acer-Aesculus-Fagus-Lirioden
095 Appalachian Oak Forest (Quercus)
097 Northern Hardwoods (Acer-Betula-Fagus-Tsuga)
101 Oak - Hickory - Pine Forest (Quercus-Carya-Pinus)
103 Southern Floodplain Forest (Quercus-Nyssa-Taxodium)
REFERENCES FOR PNV - 700
ECOREGION -
Mixed mesophytic Forest: Low Mountains
Appalachian Oak forest: Plains with High Hills
Appalachian Oak Forest: Plains with Low Mountains
Appalachian Oak Forest: Open Hills
Appalachian Oak Forest: Open Low Mountains
Habitat Associations - 1 ECOREGION -
Appalachian Oak Forest: Irregular Plains
Appalachian Oak Forest: Low Mountains
Southeastern Mixed Forest: Plains with High Hills
Southeastern Mixed Forest: Plains with Low Mountains
Southeastern Mixed Forest: Low Mountains
Southeastern Mixed Forest: Open Low Mountains
Southeastern Mixed Forest: Flat Plains
Southeastern Mixed Forest: Irregular Plains
Southeastern Mixed Forest: Irregular Plains, slight rel
Southeastern Mixed Forest: Open Hills
Southeastern Mixed Forest: Plains with Hills
REFERENCES FOR ECOREGION - 700
Habitat Associations - 2 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species tern, common
Species Id M040181
Date 26 AUG 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
CARNIVORE
REFERENCES FOR TROPHIC LEVEL - 1168
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Animals Not Specified
General Insects Not Specified
General Osteichthyes Not Specified
General Atheriniformes Adult stage
General Gasterosteiformes Not Specified
General Malacostraca Not Specified
General Crustaceans Not Specified
General Osteichthyes Adult stage
General Animals Adult stage
General See Comments; Food See Comments
Important Osteichthyes Not Specified
Important Atheriniformes Not Specified
Important Malacostraca Not Specified
Important Crustaceans Not Specified
Important Animals Not Specified
Juvenile Animals Not Specified
Juvenile Animals Adult stage
Juvenile Osteichthyes Not Specified
Juvenile Osteichthyes Adult stage
Juvenile Insects Not Specified
Juvenile Atheriniformes Adult stage
Juvenile Gasterosteiformes Not Specified
Juvenile Malacostraca Not Specified
Juvenile Crustaceans Not Specified
Juvenile See Comments; Food See Comments
Adult Animals Not Specified
Adult Animals Adult stage
Adult Insects Not Specified
Adult Osteichthyes Not Specified
Adult Osteichthyes Adult stage
Adult Atheriniformes Adult stage
Adult Amphibia Not Specified
Adult Malacostraca Not Specified
Adult Crustaceans Not Specified
Adult See Comments; Food See Comments
REFERENCES FOR GENERAL FOOD - 1168 and 487
REFERENCES FOR IMPORTANT FOOD - 1168 and 487
REFERENCES FOR ADULT FOOD - 1168 and 487
REFERENCES FOR JUVENILE FOOD - 1168 and 487
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species tern, common
Species Id M040181
Date 26 AUG 96
COMMENTS ON FOOD -
In Virginia, 75% of the diet consisted of silversides
(Menidia spp.) and killifish (Fundulus spp.) *487*
COMMENTS ON ADULT FOOD -
In Virginia, 75% of the diet consisted of silversides
(Menidia spp.) and killifish (Fundulus spp.) *487*
COMMENTS ON JUVENILE FOOD -
In Virginia, 75% of the diet consisted of silversides
(Menidia spp.) and killifish (Fundulus spp.) *487*
Food Habits - 2 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species tern, common
Species Id M040181
Date 26 AUG 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Coastal Features: Sand beaches
G Coastal Features: Sand bars
G Coastal Features: Mudflats
G Coastal Features: Dunes
G Coastal Features: Hind-dune
G Coastal Features: Sandy offshore islands
G Coastal Wetlands: Coastal shallow fresh marsh
G Coastal Wetlands: Coastal salt flats
G Coastal Wetlands: Coastal salt meadows
G Coastal Wetlands: Regularly flooded salt marshes
G Coastal Wetlands: Sounds and bays
G Grasses: Specified in Comments
G Vegetations Successional Stage: Sand dune
G Human Association: Specified in Comments
LIM Coastal Features: Sand beaches
FA Coastal Wetlands: Regularly flooded salt marshes
FA Coastal Wetlands: Coastal salt meadows
BA Coastal Features: Sand beaches
LIM Coastal Wetlands: Regularly flooded salt marshes
LIM Coastal Wetlands: Coastal salt meadows
REFERENCES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 1168, 487, 3632 and 1024
REFERENCES FOR LIMITING ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 3632
REFERENCES FOR FEEDING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 1168 and 487
REFERENCES FOR BREEDING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 3632
COMMENTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS -
Spartina spp. *3619*; dredge spoils *3632*
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species tern, common
Species Id M040181
Date 26 AUG 96
LIFE HISTORY
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: length=15 inches; crown black,
extending to lower level of eyes; back and wings pearl gray; inner
border of inner web of outer primaries white, except at tip; throat
white; breast and belly pale pearly gray; bill red at base, the end
third black; feet orange red *741*; REPRODUCTION: in Virginia, arrives
at breeding grounds in mid-April to mid-May; peak egg laying early May
to mid-July; peak hatching late May to mid-August *1024*; incubation by
both sexes 24-26 days; one brood; eggs, 3, sometimes 2 or 4, typically
laid 1 a day until clutch is complete; average 41.5 X 30 mm, oval, short
oval, long oval; shell smooth no gloss; pale buff to cinnamon brown,
generally heavily spotted and overlaid with shades of dark brown *507*;
may be no nest, merely a slight hollow in sand, shells, or pebbles;
depression in wind row of seaweed and trash above high water mark; some
material may be added *507*; BEHAVIOR: defends colony by diving at
intruders *1168*; feeds by plunging; often disappearing entirely under
water; bill pointed downward when feeding *1168*; adults have two
complete molts each year, a prenuptial early in the spring, before
arrival at breeding grounds, and a postnuptial in September or later
*1168*; LIMITING FACTORS: large number of predators on eggs, young, and
incubating adults including--owls, red-winged black birds, night herons,
crows, gulls, rats, raccoons, skunks, cats, mice *1168,3622,3623,3620*;
entire colonies often wiped out by storms, high tides *1168,3619*; lack
of suitable colony sites may be limiting *3619,3632*; POPULATION
PARAMENTERS: 90% of breeding population is 3-10 years old *3616*; 5-10%
of breeding population are 4 years olds *3630*; maximum lifespan is 20
years; mean annual adult mortality is 25% *3616*; survival rate between
fledge and age 4 is 7-13% *3630*; fledging success of 3rd chick is
2/3-1/8 success of first chick *3615*; AQUATIC/TERRESTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS:
often feeds in association with feeding bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix)
*1168*; often nests in association with other species of terns, black
skimmers (Rynchops niger), gulls (Larus spp.) *1168,3631*; OTHER: in
1977, 22 colonies were known in Virginia with 3556 total nesting pairs;
main colony size was 162 pairs *1024*
LIFE HISTORY CODES -
Foraging Strategy: Diving (aquatic)
REFERENCES FOR LIFE HISTORY- 1024, 1168, 3615, 3630, 3616, 3619, 3632, 3622, 3623, 3620, 741 and 507
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species tern, common
Species Id M040181
Date 26 AUG 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Predator control
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human use of habitats
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations
Beneficial Public education - law enforcement
Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas
Beneficial Maintaining unique or special habitat features [wetlands, caves,
Beneficial Developing/maintaining brackish marsh
Beneficial Developing/maintaining saline marsh
Beneficial Proper handling and placement of overburden and spoil materials
Beneficial Other management practices [specified in comments]
Existing Restricting/regulating human use of habitats
Existing Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations
Existing Other management practices [specified in comments]
REFERENCES FOR BENEFICIAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - 3632, 4209 and 1024
REFERENCES FOR EXISTING MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - 3632, 4209 and 1024
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
999(B)=areas where there are nesting colonies should be kept
free from human disturbance during the breeding season; cats, dogs,
rats, and other predatory mammals should be controlled and kept off
islands *1168*; 999(E)=in Virginia, species nests on barrier beaches;
may shift to nesting in saltmarshes (as in New Jersey) under increased
disturbance *3632*
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species tern, common
Species Id M040181
Date 26 AUG 96
References
487* Erwin, R.M. 1977. Foraging and breeding adaptations to
different food regimes in three seabirds: the common tern Sterna
hirundo, royal tern Sterna maxima, and black skimmer Rynchops
niger. Ecology 58:389-397.
507* Harrison, H.H. 1975. A Field Guide to Birds' Nests of 285
Species Found Breeding in the United States East of the
Mississippi River. Petterson Field Guide Series No. 121.
Houghton Mifflin Boston, Massechusetts:257.
700* Ornithology, Virginia Society of. 1979. Virginia's
Birdlife: An Annotated Check-list. Virginia Avifauna No. 2.
Virginia Society of Ornithology Lynchburg, Va:118.
741* Chapman, F.M. 1934. Handbook of Birds of Eastern North
America. D. Appleton-Century Co., Inc. New York:581.
758* (ed.)1982. Fish and wildlife. 50 CFR 10 (Code of Federal
Regulations). General Serv. Admin. Washington, D.C:7.
1024* Parker, S.P. (ed.)1982. Synopsis and Classification of
Living Organisms. McGraw-Hill Book Co. New York, New York:1232.
1168* Bent, A.C. 1921. Life histories of North American gulls
and terns. U.S. Mus. Nat. Hist. Bull. 113. Reprint 1963 by Dover
Pubs. New York, N.Y:337.
3615* Langham, N. 1972. Chick survival in terns (Sterna spp.)
with particular reference to the common tern. J. Animal Ecol.
41:385-395.
3616* Austin, O.L., Austin, O.L., Jr. 1956. Some demographic
aspects of the Cape Cod population of common terns (Sterna
hirundo). Bird Banding 273:55-66.
3619* Burger, J., Lesser, F. 1979. Breeding behavior and success
in salt marsh common tern colonies. Bird Banding 503:322-337.
3620* Nisbet, I.C.T. 1976. Selective effects of predation in a
tern colony. Condor 77:221-226.
3622* Pessino, C.M. 1968. Red-winged Blackbird destroys eggs of
common and roseate terns. Auk 85:513.
3623* Hunter, R.A., Morris, R.D. 1976. Nocturnal predation by a
black-crowned night heron at a common tern colony. Auk
933:575-594.
3630* Nisbet, I.C.T. 1978. Population models for common terns in
Massachusetts. Bird Banding 49:50-58.
References - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species tern, common
Species Id M040181
Date 26 AUG 96
3632* Erwin, R.M. 1980. Breeding habitat use by colonially
nesting waterbirds in two mid-Atlantic U.S. regions under
different regimes of human disturbance. Biological Conserv.
18:39-51.
4209* Anderson, D.W., Keith, J.O. 1979..
References - 2