Black Tern is small and elegant. It is included in the "Chlidonias" genus in the Sternidae Family. Its scientific name is Chlidonias niger.
There are two subgroups known as the Eurasian Black Tern (C. n. Niger) and the North American Black Tern (C.n. surinamensis). The Eurasian Black Tern live in very different environments, except during the breeding season. During the breeding season, they prefer lakes and wetlands and build their nests in lakes, ponds and marshes with abundant aquatic plants. Sometimes they nest in small marshes, wet meadows or even in ditches.
On the other hand, Black Terns prefer gulfs, lagoons, estuaries and salt water swamps on the tropical beaches where they spend their winter months except their breeding season. On the other hand, it has been observed that they feed even 600 km far from the beach. (6)
During migration, they feed on inland waters and wetlands such as coastal areas.
They are rarely seen away from beaches, puddles, and wet areas. The Eurasian Black Tern is seen during their breeding season in a region extending from Southern Scandinavia to Southern Spain, all over Europe and Asia to Mongolia. In non-breeding periods, they live in the Western Sahara of Africa and the Atlantic Coasts of South Africa.
(North American Tern is seen in most parts of Canada and the North USA during their breeding season. They are seen as random guests in England, Ireland and Australia. In non-breeding periods, they live in the Pacific coast of Mexico and the Atlantic and Pacific parts of Central and South America).