Least and Little terns

[rwkno1]

Does anyone know if Least and Little terns are classified as two seperate species or sub species?

Any help much appreciated

[wintibird]

Hi

The Handbook of the Birds of the World (Volume 3) regards them as separate species. Little Tern Sterna albifrons occuring in Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia and Least Tern Sterna antillarum from the Americas. They do form a superspecies (including Saunder's Tern, Yellow-billed Tern and Peruvian Tern). It is also noted that the separation is based mainly on basis of voice and that some works threat them conspecific, so Little Tern woud be the species and Least Tern a subspecies of it.
You see, the answer to your question is, as always with taxonomy, not so easy and depends on the authorities you are following.

Greetings
André

[rwkno1]

Hi

The Handbook of the Birds of the World (Volume 3) regards them as separate species. Little Tern Sterna albifrons occuring in Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia and Least Tern Sterna antillarum from the Americas. They do form a superspecies (including Saunder's Tern, Yellow-billed Tern and Peruvian Tern). It is also noted that the separation is based mainly on basis of voice and that some works threat them conspecific, so Little Tern woud be the species and Least Tern a subspecies of it.
You see, the answer to your question is, as always with taxonomy, not so easy and depends on the authorities you are following.

Greetings
André



Thanks, great informative reply, much appreciated

Rob

[Docmartin]

The American Ornithologists' Union treat them as two species, British Ornithologists's Union as one.

[Tim Allwood]

can't improve on Doc Collinson's post

other than to mention that 'two species' are, by definition, separate

sorry

Tim

[pemburung]

Just being picky, if they are one species, both Little and Least would be subspecies; there should be another name - say, eg, Allwood's Tern - for the species, Sterna albifrons; this species comprises two subspecies, albifrons albifrons and albifrons antillarum.

Ok, it's late; cheers all.

[Docmartin]

other than to mention that 'two species' are, by definition, separate




Don't start me on that. Or on 'full' species either.