The Aleutian tern, a USFWS and ADF&G “Species of Conservation Concern/Species of Conservation Need”, is Alaska's most imperiled seabird, having undergone apparent population declines at known colonies of more than 95% in recent decades. A 2015 analysis highlighted the apparent rapid decline and suggested the Alaska breeding population to be only ~5000 birds. The analysis identified several challenges for monitoring population trends of Aleutian terns, including: lack of a formal monitoring effort, substantial uncertainties related to census methods, and an inability to assess if birds moved from declining colonies to as-of-yet unknown colonies.

Since 2016, the Aleutian Tern Working Group, including USFWS staff from Migratory Bird Management, Refuges, and Ecological Services, has worked on refining colony census methods and developing a statewide Aleutian tern colony census plan. Building on years of focused work on colony census methods and designing a statistically rigorous statewide census design, this project will provide a defensible population assessment of the entire North American population of Aleutian terns and deliver information required for a Species Status Assessment, anticipating the species may be petitioned for protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Contact Information

Species

Aleutian tern on kelp in the water

dentification Tips: Length: 13 inches Sexes similar Dives into water for prey Medium-sized tern with short, slender, pointed bill Long, deeply forked tail Smoothly rounded head without crest Mostly pale underwing with dark bar on secondaries Gray mantle Adult alternate: Black legs Black bill...

FWS Focus
Species
Kingdom
Animalia
Taxonomic Rank
Species

Programs

A large bird with brown feathers, white head, and yellow beak flies against a pale blue sky
The Migratory Bird Program works with partners to protect, restore and conserve bird populations and their habitats for the benefit of future generations by: ensuring long-term ecological sustainability of all migratory bird populations, increasing socioeconomic benefits derived from birds,...
Program
Washington,DC

Facilities

An aerial landscape photo of a large blue lake along forested land, with snow-capped mountains in the background.
Southern Alaska Fish and Wildlife Field Office
Welcome to our Southern Alaska Office! We have dedicated staff working with partners to conserve fish and wildlife via habitat restoration and conservation, fish assessment and management, technical assistance, cost-sharing, funding, and outreach.
Conservation Office
Anchorage,AK
A pair of Horned Puffins with brightly colored yellow and red bills perches on a cliff near their nest. The cliff in the background is blurred.
Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge
The Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge stretches from the spectacular volcanic islands of the Aleutian chain to the Inside Passage, and north to the Chukchi Sea, providing essential habitat for marine mammals and some 40 million seabirds, representing more than 30 species.
National Wildlife Refuge
Homer,AK
Sloped mountains rise from a river valley.
Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge
Alaska Peninsula Refuge presents a breathtakingly dramatic landscape made up of active volcanoes, towering mountain peaks, rolling tundra and rugged, wave-battered coastlines. The Bristol Bay side of the Refuge consists primarily of tundra, lakes and wetlands. From these coastal lowlands, the...
National Wildlife Refuge
King Salmon,AK
Black and white bird with long neck and yellow bill on the water
Alaska Migratory Birds Office
Alaska is home to more than 470 species of birds. Most are migratory birds for which the Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible under international treaties and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. While some of the birds stay in Alaska year-round, most migrate to Canada, Central America, South America...
Conservation Office
Anchorage,AK

Partners