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This species was formerly placed in the genus [[:Category:Sterna|Sterna]]<br />Little Tern is closely related to, and was formerly often considered conspecific with, [[Saunders's Tern]], and with the [[Least Tern]] ''S. albifrons'' of the New World. Other close relatives include the [[Yellow-billed Tern]] ''S. superciliaris'' and [[Peruvian Tern]] ''S. lorata'', both from South America.
This species was formerly placed in the genus [[:Category:Sterna|Sterna]]<br />Little Tern is closely related to, and was formerly often considered conspecific with, [[Saunders's Tern]], and with the [[Least Tern]] ''S. albifrons'' of the New World. Other close relatives include the [[Yellow-billed Tern]] ''S. superciliaris'' and [[Peruvian Tern]] ''S. lorata'', both from South America.
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====Subspecies====
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There are 6 subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>:
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*''S. a. albifrons'':
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:*[[Europe]] to western [[Asia]] and west Indian Ocean; winters [[Africa]] to [[India]]
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*''S. a. guineae'':
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:*[[Ghana]] to [[Gabon]]
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*''S. a. innominata'':
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:*Islands in Persian Gulf
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*''S. a.pusilla'':
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:*North-eastern India, [[Sri Lanka]], [[Myanmar]] and islands off [[Sumatra]] and [[Java]]
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*''S. a. sinensis'':
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:*South-eastern [[Russia]] to [[Japan]], South-eastern [[Asia]], [[Philippines]] and [[New Guinea]]
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*''S. a. placens'':
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:*Eastern [[Australia]] and eastern [[Tasmania]]
==Habitat==
==Habitat==
Sand, gravel or shingle coasts and islands. The nesting area will most often be located close to both the sea and to fresh water, but in southern areas also found near freshwater such as rivers.
Sand, gravel or shingle coasts and islands. The nesting area will most often be located close to both the sea and to fresh water, but in southern areas also found near freshwater such as rivers.
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==Behaviour==
==Behaviour==
====Breeding====
====Breeding====
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1 - 3 eggs are laid on the ground. The nest is a scrape in the ground, ususally on a shingle beach. The pair take turns incubating the eggs which hatch after 18 to 21 days. Chicks start to fly after 8 to 14 days but are not fully fledged until they are 28 days old.
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The 1 - 3 eggs are laid on the ground. The nest is a scrape in the ground, usually on a shingle beach. The pair take turns incubating the eggs which hatch after 18 to 21 days. Chicks start to fly after 8 to 14 days but are not fully fledged until they are 28 days old.
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Little Terns are fiercely protective of the eggs and chicks and will follow and harass any percieved predator.
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Little Terns are fiercely protective of the eggs and chicks and will follow and harass any perceived predator.
This species was formerly placed in the genus Sterna Little Tern is closely related to, and was formerly often considered conspecific with, Saunders's Tern, and with the Least TernS. albifrons of the New World. Other close relatives include the Yellow-billed TernS. superciliaris and Peruvian TernS. lorata, both from South America.
Sand, gravel or shingle coasts and islands. The nesting area will most often be located close to both the sea and to fresh water, but in southern areas also found near freshwater such as rivers.
Behaviour
Breeding
The 1 - 3 eggs are laid on the ground. The nest is a scrape in the ground, usually on a shingle beach. The pair take turns incubating the eggs which hatch after 18 to 21 days. Chicks start to fly after 8 to 14 days but are not fully fledged until they are 28 days old.
Little Terns are fiercely protective of the eggs and chicks and will follow and harass any perceived predator.
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