Least Tern Courtship – The Slip!

Posted Jess Yarnell1 Comment

During a visit to Fort de Soto at the beginning of May, I heard the familiar calls of Least Terns. Their calls take on a particular tone as they perform courtship routines. I dropped to the sand and focused on the birds. Then I started to laugh, as the male repeatedly presented a fish to the female, but wouldn’t let her take it.  She put up with his games for several minutes before giving him the slip!

Least Tern Courtship: The Male Presents the Fish and the Female Gets into Position to Accept It
Least Tern Courtship: The male presents the fish and the female gets into position to accept It
Least Tern Courtship: After the male dangles the fish in her face for a while, the female tries to grab it
Least Tern Courtship: After the male dangles the fish in her face for a while, the female tries to grab it
Least Tern Courtship: The male pretends to offer the fish directly to the female, but never hands it over
Least Tern Courtship: The male pretends to offer the fish directly to the female, but never hands it over
Least Tern Courtship: The female continues to eye the fish...or maybe she's giving the male the evil eye!
Least Tern Courtship: The female continues to eye the fish…or maybe she’s giving the male the evil eye!
Least Tern Courtship: The female shows great patience as the male dances around with the fish
Least Tern Courtship: The female shows great patience as the male dances around with the fish
Least Tern Courtship: Finally the male starts to hand over the fish as he hops onto the female's back
Least Tern Courtship: Finally the male starts to hand over the fish as he hops onto the female’s back
Least Tern Courtship - The female yanks the fish away
Least Tern Courtship: The female yanks the fish away
Least Tern Courtship: At the end, the female scooted out from under the male and ran off with the fish. She gave him the slip!
Least Tern Courtship: At the end, the female scooted out from under the male and ran off with the fish. She gave him the slip!

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One thought on “Least Tern Courtship – The Slip!”

  1. Another great series of images! I think these two may be lucky to have discovered each others’ true personalities before the relationship goes any further. There are other terns on the beach.

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