Least tern

Least terns hover over water and plunge in to catch small fish. They nest in colonies on open sand and on flat gravel roofs, and dive at intruders near their nests.

Least terns were nearly wiped out for the hat trade in the 1800s and now face loss of undisturbed beaches. In Georgia, some colonies nest on flat gravel roofs, showing how birds adapt when beaches are crowded.

Nest — A scrape in sand or gravel
Eggs — Usually two or three
Incubation — About 21 days
Chicks — Leave the nest within a few days but are fed by their parents
Flight — At about three weeks
Lifespan — Wild birds over twenty years are recorded

• Posted nesting areas on beaches protect eggs and chicks that are almost invisible on sand.
• Terns diving at people are defending their colony; walking away ends it.
• Least terns nesting on gravel roofs sometimes lose chicks that fall or wander off the edge; a chick found at the foot of a building needs a rehabilitator.

• Birds diving at you are attacking. They are warning you away from nests and chicks.

• Forster's tern
• Common tern
• Black skimmer