Wikipedia:Today's featured article/requests/Tern

Tern

 * This is the archived discussion of the TFAR nomination for the article below. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as Wikipedia talk:Today's featured article/requests). Please do not modify this page. 

The result was: scheduled for Today's featured article/August 14, 2015 by — Chris Woodrich (talk) 23:46, 27 July 2015 (UTC)



Terns are seabirds in the family Sternidae that have a worldwide distribution and are normally found near the sea, rivers or wetlands. Previously considered a subfamily of the gulls, Laridae, they are now usually given full family status and divided into eleven genera. They are slender, lightly built birds with long forked tails, narrow wings, long bills and relatively short legs. Most species are pale grey above and white below, with a contrasting black cap to the head, but the marsh terns, the Inca tern and some noddies have dark plumage for at least part of the year. The sexes are identical in appearance, but young birds are readily distinguishable from adults. Terns have a non-breeding plumage, which usually involves a white forehead and much-reduced black cap. They are birds of open habitats that typically breed in noisy colonies and lay their eggs on bare ground with little or no nest material. Many terns are long-distance migrants, and the Arctic tern may see more daylight in a year than any other animal. They are long-lived birds and are relatively free from natural predators and parasites, but most species are declining in numbers due directly or indirectly to human activities, including habitat loss, pollution, disturbance and predation by introduced mammals. The Chinese crested tern is in a critical situation and three other species are classed as endangered. International agreements provide a measure of protection, but adults and eggs of some species are still used for food in the tropics.
 * Most recent similar article(s): corncrake
 * Main editors:
 * Promoted: 15 June 2013
 * Reasons for nomination: broad article. recent news items about decline of seabirds worldwide.
 * Support as nominator. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 01:20, 19 July 2015 (UTC)
 * Support About time for a turn in the spotlight (pun; hilarious, Belle, hilarious) Belle (talk) 01:33, 19 July 2015 (UTC)