least tern
noun
: a very small black-capped tern (Sterna antillarum) with a white body and forehead that is found chiefly in coastal areas of eastern North America and California
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Work in the wetlands is prohibited from early spring to mid-fall, which is nesting season for protected species of birds such as the snowy plover and the least tern. 
Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Aug. 2022 Birds that use the island as a stopover include the American oystercatcher, for which the Boston Harbor Islands are one of their northernmost breeding sites, and the islands host several colonial nesting species, such as the least tern. Cheryl Maguire, Washington Post, 22 July 2022 In 2018 volunteers found dozens of least tern eggs stacked in piles, moved out of the way for a volleyball game in Alabama. Lisa J. Huriash, sun-sentinel.com, 5 July 2021 The day before, a drone went down in Bolsa Chica near nesting sites of the California least tern and the snowy plover. Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2021 Of those species, 23 have special status, including the California least tern and Ridgway’s rail, which are endangered, and the Western snowy plover, which is classified as threatened. Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2021 There are three populations of least terns in the United States. Seth Borenstein, USA TODAY, 10 Oct. 2019 There are three populations of least terns in the United States. Seth Borenstein, USA TODAY, 10 Oct. 2019 There are three populations of least terns in the United States. Seth Borenstein, USA TODAY, 10 Oct. 2019 See More
Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Aug. 2022 Birds that use the island as a stopover include the American oystercatcher, for which the Boston Harbor Islands are one of their northernmost breeding sites, and the islands host several colonial nesting species, such as the least tern. Cheryl Maguire, Washington Post, 22 July 2022 In 2018 volunteers found dozens of least tern eggs stacked in piles, moved out of the way for a volleyball game in Alabama. Lisa J. Huriash, sun-sentinel.com, 5 July 2021 The day before, a drone went down in Bolsa Chica near nesting sites of the California least tern and the snowy plover. Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2021 Of those species, 23 have special status, including the California least tern and Ridgway’s rail, which are endangered, and the Western snowy plover, which is classified as threatened. Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2021 There are three populations of least terns in the United States. Seth Borenstein, USA TODAY, 10 Oct. 2019 There are three populations of least terns in the United States. Seth Borenstein, USA TODAY, 10 Oct. 2019 There are three populations of least terns in the United States. Seth Borenstein, USA TODAY, 10 Oct. 2019 See More Word History
First Known Use
circa 1860, in the meaning defined above