The Roseate Tern is now considered an endangered species in the northeast. Apparently it was once far more
numerous along much of Atlantic Coast, but today these animals nest in only a few specific sites. The initial population
declines may have been caused by hunting for the plume trade in the late 1800s. After a partial recovery, some colonies
not surprisingly disappeared after the 1930s, when many islands were overrun by expanding populations of Herring Gulls
in the northeast. The continuing decline may involve hunting of Terns on wintering grounds in northeastern South America.
Gulls in the northeast.
Widespread but very local on the coasts of six continents. In North America, only on Atlantic the seaboard, mainly in the northeast
and in Florida. Roseate Terns exhibit a very light and buoyant flight, with relatively fast and shallow wing beats, often giving
a musical call note while in flight. Its numbers on this continent are in a long-term decline, probably owing to a combination
of reasons, and is now considered an endangered species. The Roseate Tern is predominantly a coastal and oceanic inhabitant,
in contrast to most similar other Terns.
Feeding Behavior:
These birds forage mostly by patrolling in flight above water and then diving to catch fish below the surface.
Sometimes they may dip down in flight to take prey from the surface of the water, yet normally hover less
than their close living relatives.
Diet:
The Roseate Tern's diet consists mostly of fish. The majority of these fish being of the smaller varieties.
These fish include many Sand Lance and herring off eastern North America; they also have an appetite
for a few crustaceans, mollusks, and even in rare cases, insects.
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