Least Terns' Courtship

A male hovers over the sea looking for a fish.

When he sees the right size fish he goes into a steep dive.

Fish in beak he heads back to the nesting grounds.

Fish in beak he heads back to the nesting grounds.

A male offers a fish to a female, her upright stance and lifted head are signs of rejection.

This female has accepted a fish but her posture shows that she has no other intentions!

The male gets excited that she's accepted the fish despite her posture.

Here a male is offering a fish and the female has adopted a posture showing she is willing to mate. The male stands behind and to one side of the female and shakes his head from side to side. The female starts shaking her head as well. After some minutes mating may occur and the male will pass the fish.

Just as copulation is complete, the female turns around and takes the fish from the male.

Males need to be careful, some hungry females will try to get the fish before copulation.

This female managed to grab the fish and leaves the male frustrated and wiser!

This pair have got to the stage of mating without the need for the male to offer a fish.

This female had already chosen a mate but another male was trying to tempt her to mate with him.

Here a female that already had chosen a male was about to mate with another male when her partner returned and drove off the intruder (just in time).

This male went from site to site pointing out possible nests. The female is trying this one for size and comfort.

A Least Tern in flight.