Black tern / Trauerseeschwalbe (Chlidonias niger)

Trauerseeschwalbe im Flug. 2024-08-24 19:17:50 Klingnauer Stausee (man-made lake) Canon EOS R7 200-800mm Shutter speed 10
ISO 800
Exposure 1/1000
Classification: Genus Chlidonias; Family Gulls (Laridae)
This bird appears across the great seas in the following continents: Europe, North America, South America, Africa.
General: The black tern (Chlidonias niger) is a small tern generally found in or near inland water in Europe, Western Asia and North America. As its name suggests, it has predominantly dark plumage. In some lights it can appear blue in the breeding season, hence the old English name "blue darr".^[2] The genus name is from Ancient Greek khelidonios, "swallow-like", from khelidon, "swallow": another old English name for the black tern is "carr (i.e. lake) swallow".^[3] The species name is from Latin niger "shining black".^[4] [more]
Vocalization: Moderately vocal. [Link]
Calls: Flight call a more or less clear "kleck, or a disyllabic "klee-ake" with accented first syllable. Sometimes slightly rolling "klirr-eke", but never as much as in White-winged Tern. Also a slightly harsher "kreek", but not as raspy as in Whiskered Tern. [Link]
Physical details: length=22-24 cm, wingspan=64-68 cm, weight=60-86 g
Habitats: River and lake

First documented observation: 2024-08-24 in Klingnauer Stausee (man-made lake). Most recent observation: 2024-08-24 in Klingnauer Stausee (man-made lake).