South Texas is such a wonderful place for birding. In addition to lots of beautiful common bird species, there are always at least a few uncommon birds to watch and photograph. In May, one of those special birds is the Least Tern.
The elegant, distinguished Least Tern.
This tiny tern is about the same size as an American Robin, or maybe even a bit smaller than that. It’s a sprite of a waterbird that frequents sand bars, lagoons, and quiet, sandy beaches and is one of the many breeding birds in south Texas.
A Least Tern gets ready to brood.
It catches prey by hovering above shallow waters and then diving for small fish.
A Least tern with a tiny fish.
The Least Tern lays two to three eggs in a shallow depression in the sand and relies on the color and pattern of the eggs to blend in with their surroundings.
A Least Tern with a precious, camouflaged egg.
Unfortunately, the Least Tern is threatened in some areas and has disappeared from several sites where it used to nest because the beaches and sand bars it requires are subject to destruction and disturbance. It is still fairly common at several sites in coastal Texas.
The Least Tern shares its sandy habitat with the much bigger and more colorful Black Skimmer.
A Black Skimmer calls from a beach in Texas.
Another look at this distinctive bird. Look at that strange beak!
The Spotted Sandpiper is another common neighbor,
The Spotted Sandpiper is our most common shorebird.
and terns need to watch out for the biggest avian nocturnal predator on the block, the Great Horned Owl.
A Juvenile Great Horned Owl.
The Gulf Coast Ribbon Snake is another neighbor.
Watch for beautiful Least Terns among hundreds of other elegant birds when visiting south Texas!