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Mass Audubon State of the Birds

Find a Bird

Least Tern
Sternula antillarum

Thanks to intensive conservation efforts, the Least Tern has survived in Massachusetts despite the depredations of the feather trade during the early 20th century. Even today, it remains restricted to relatively few protected breeding areas. This vulnerability has made the Least Tern a Species of Special Concern in the state.
Conservation Status
Continued Action/Monitoring Needed

Tracking This Bird In Massachusetts

Climate Vulnerability Score

Highly Vulnerable
Mass Audubon Mean likelihood of occurrence (current)
0.21
Mass Audubon Mean likelihood of occurrence (2050)
0.22
Mass Audubon Absolute change in likelihood of occurrence
0.02
U.S. Forest Service Climate Change Bird Atlas (Hadly Hi emissions scenario)a
n/a
National Audubon Societyb
Climate Endangered
a USFS model data for Massachusetts by 2100
b National Audubon Society's Climate Change Atlas was completed on a continental scale.

Breeding Bird Atlas

Atlas I Blocks
55
Atlas II Blocks
89
Percent of state occupied - Atlas I
6
Percent of state occupied - Atlas II
9
Percent change
150

Breeding Bird Survey

Annual trend 1966-2010
P-value
Number of routes
Recent trend 2000-2010

Christmas Bird Count

Trend (1963-2008)
0
Significantly different than zero
Trend (1963-1979)
0
Significantly different than zero
Trend (1979-2008)
0
Significantly different than zero

Habitat Usage

Breeding

Coastal

Wintering

Does not winter in Massachusetts

Climate Suitability Current and 2050