Diet of Little Terns Sternula albifrons at the nest during the breeding period on the Atlantic coast of Morocco (Province of Benslimane, Morocco)

Capsule This first detailed investigation into the diet of Little Terns along the North Atlantic coast of Morocco, focusing on the tidal zone of Mansouria over six years, highlights the species’ dietary composition during chick-feeding at an important nesting site.Aims To assess the diet composition and foraging behaviour of Little Terns in the tidal habitat near its breeding site on the Mansouria coast, in Morocco, with a focus on prey diversity and changes the prey species delivered to chicks over time.Methods Fieldwork was conducted over six breeding seasons (2009–2014) in a 38-ha estuarine area (2 km long, 0.3 km wide) near the Moroccan cities of Mohammedia and Bouznika. Data collection included direct visual observations, photographic documentation of foraging behaviour and analysis of prey remains found near nests.Results From a total of 105 prey items identified, Little Tern chick diet predominantly consisted of fish (n = 93, 88.6%) and arthropods (n = 12, 11.4%). Key fish species identified were European Pilchards (Sardina pilchardus; n = 33, 31.4%), gobies (mainly Gobius niger; n = 20, 19.0%), White Seabreams (Diplodus sargus; n = 16, 15.5%) and sand smelts (Atherina spp; n = 13, 12.4%). Chicks were initially fed small fish, with prey size increasing as the chicks grew.Conclusion This study provides an initial assessment of Little Tern chick diet in Moroccan coastal waters. While limited to low-tide observations, the findings emphasize the significance of the Mansouria tidal zone as a critical feeding habitat, supporting calls for its conservation.