Little tern: Red Data Book of Armenia

Terns - Sternidae

Status. A rare species of limited distribution in Armenia. Listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 3.1) as Least Concern. According to IUCN criteria categorized as Vulnerable VU D1.

Distribution. Southern and Centra l Europe, North America, Central and South Asia, Australia, Polynesia.

Distribution in Armenia. Nestles in the Armavir and Ararat (Armash fish ponds) provinces.

Habitats. Salt marshes and clayey lands near the water bodies.

Biological traits. A colonial species. In Armenia, a migratory species occurring here from April–May to September–October. Nestles on the ground. Eggs (1–3/clutch) are laid from late May to mid–July. The brooding period is 18–22 days.

Population size and its trends. In nesting sites occurs in pairs or small flocks of 4–6 pairs, often in mixed flocks with sandpipers. Rare throughout the suitable habitats in the Ararat Valley.

Major threats. Small population size. Livestock grazing nearby the nesting sites.

Conservation measures. Not protected. The species demands for urgent protection. It is essential to fence off the nesting sites to prevent human and livestock access.