Date: 4/28/26 6:39 am From: LaBarr, Mark <00000cd429018fe6-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Common tern behavior
Hey Chris,
I've been working with Lake Champlain Common Terns for a number of years now. Courtship feeding and courtship flights are part of their breeding behavior. I was out at Popasquash Island, the largest tern colony on the lake, and had a couple commons around but they hadn't started setting up nesting territories on the island yet. I did have more than 80 Caspian Terns on the island. A new species for Popasquash these past couple of years. The Caspian Terns and Ring-billed Gulls were initiating clutches. Commons show up a little later.
Mark
Mark LaBarr
Audubon Vermont
-----Original Message-----
From: Vermont Birds <VTBIRD...> On Behalf Of Jared Katz
Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2026 9:25 AM
To: <VTBIRD...>
Subject: [VTBIRD] Common tern behavior
Yesterday, off South Hero, I watched several common terns standing on the dock. One flew off and moments later, returned with a small fish. When it landed next to another tern, it passed the fish to that one. The recipient sat for a moment, then flew off over the lake, where it dipped down to the water and lit on the lake, dipping its head beneath the surface. When it re-emerged I could not see a fish anymore. It flew off circled and dipped its bill in the lake a few times before reuniting with the gift giver. I had never observed it before but presume it is some sort of courtship behavior. I’m see food sharing with cardinals, but had never with terns. Is this a common phenomenon in other birders’ experiences?
