Caspian Tern

Caspian Tern
Photo Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Overview

  • Species Common Name Caspian Tern
  • Species Scientific Name Hydroprogne caspia
  • State Listing Status Sensitive

Ecoregions

Special needs

Caspian Terns prefer unvegetated nesting islands free of mammalian predators.

Limiting factors

Long-term availability of suitable nesting sites is important to this species. As a colonial-nester, Caspian Terns are especially vulnerable to random, human-induced, or natural events that affect colonies and productivity.

Conservation actions

Protect breeding colonies from human disturbance. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Status Assessment and Conservation Recommendations (Shuford and Craig 2002) provides additional information on appropriate conservation actions for this species.

Key reference or plan

Caspian Tern Management to Reduce Predation of Juvenile Salmonids in the Columbia River Estuary, Final Environmental Impact Statement