Species · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024
Roseate Tern
Roseate Tern has collapsed: down 85% on the route-weighted index since 1972.
-85%Since 1972
3Routes
14Years Surveyed
About the Roseate Tern
The Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) is a North American member of the Gulls, Terns & Skimmers (Laridae). In this analysis it is grouped with the wetland birds.
- Size
- 8.5–31.5 in long (22–80 cm) — a long-winged waterbird (typical for the family)
- Habitat
- Marshes, ponds, lakeshores and other freshwater wetlands.
- Diet
- Aquatic invertebrates, small fish, frogs and plant matter.
- Range
- Recorded on 3 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 3 states.
- Family
- Laridae · Wetland birds
Notable Roseate Tern Trends
No notable trend signals for Roseate Tern. See the full index history below.
Where the Roseate Tern Is Detected
BBS routes recording Roseate Tern, sized by most recent count.
Roseate Tern Population Trend by State
| Florida | insufficient data | n/a | 1 |
| Massachusetts | insufficient data | n/a | 1 |
| New York | insufficient data | n/a | 1 |
Roseate Tern Conservation Status
Our route-weighted index shows it down about 85% since 1972.
Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22. Trend is a route-weighted relative-abundance index, not an absolute population.