Little tern / Zwergseeschwalbe (Sternula albifrons)

Little Tern, Reykjavik, Iceland. 2015-05-29 11:18:30 Iceland NIKON D3100 ISO 800
Exposure 0
Classification: Genus Sternula; Family Gulls (Laridae)
General: The little tern (Sternula albifrons) is a seabird of the family Laridae. It was formerly placed into the genus Sterna, which now is restricted to the large white terns.^[2] The genus name is a diminutive of Sterna, "tern". The specific albifrons is from Latin albus, "white", and "frons", forehead.^[3] The former North American (S. a. antillarum) and Red Sea S. a. saundersi subspecies are now considered to be separate species, the least tern (Sternula antillarum) and Saunders's tern (Sternula saundersi). [more]
Vocalization: Fairly distinct voice. [Link]
Calls: Contact call a sharp "kitt", often combined to form undulating, rolling series. Not as sharp and penetrating as Common- and Arctic Tern. [Link]
Physical details: length=22-24 cm, wingspan=48-55 cm, weight=49-63 g
Habitats: River and lake

Only documented observation: 2015-05-29