Sternula albifrons
The little chira is a delicate, small bird, being the smallest chira species in Europe. Its flight is extremely fast, with very frequent wingbeats, reminiscent of that of a swallow. In the Danube Delta, it is a summer species that depends on the existence of beaches and undisturbed sea shingles.
Distinguished by its small size and head pattern: black cap with a pure white forehead (hence the scientific name albifrons). The bill is yellow with a black tip, and the legs are also yellow — a different colouring from the Common Tern. The body is white with a pale grey back.
Closely tied to coastal zones, favouring sandy beaches, marine sand spits and shell islands. In the Danube Delta, the most important nesting sites are in the Sacalin-Zătoane area and on the Chituc ridge, both protected zones of the RBDD.
Hunts by repeated plunge-dives into shallow water near the beach, catching fish a few centimetres long. Colonial but colonies are often small and dispersed, with nests perfectly camouflaged in the sand — practically invisible. Its call is a sharp, metallic "kirit-kirit".
Arrive in Romania in May. The nest is a simple scrape in sand or shingle, with no added material. The female lays 2–3 perfectly camouflaged eggs, incubated by both parents for approximately 19–22 days. Chicks can run within a few hours of hatching and are fed by both parents until fledging.
Although globally Least Concern (LC), in Romania it is a vulnerable species. The main threats are uncontrolled tourism on wild beaches (camouflaged nests in the sand are often trampled), predation by stray dogs and storm flooding. Any visitor to RBDD beaches must be aware of the invisible nests in the sand.