Chlidonias niger

Black terns are graceful marsh birds that breed around shallow freshwater wetlands with abundant floating or emergent vegetation. Breeding adults have dark heads and bodies contrasting with silvery wings, while nonbreeding birds become mostly pale below. Populations breeding in North America and Eurasia undertake long migrations to warmer coastal waters. Their buoyant, erratic flight is well suited to picking insects and other small prey from the water’s surface. (Animal Diversity Web)

Nests are low platforms placed on floating vegetation, muskrat houses or other supports barely above the water. Both parents participate in incubation and chick care, defending a small nesting territory within a loose colony. Black terns eat aquatic insects, airborne insects, small fish and crustaceans, taking prey while hovering, dipping to the surface or briefly landing. Feeding behavior and prey selection change between freshwater breeding marshes and marine wintering areas. (Animal Diversity Web)