[6] This bird breeds on the coasts and inland waterways of temperate and tropical Europe, Asia, north and west Africa, and eastern Australia.

The loss of inland populations has been even more severe, since due to dams, river regulation and sediment extraction it has lost most of its former habitats.

The little tern population has declined or become extinct in many European countries, and former breeding places on large rivers like the Danube, Elbe and Rhine ceased.

Old-fashioned water management practices, including river regulation and sediment extraction, endanger the remaining pairs.

The WWF and its partners are involved in working for the protection of this bird and this unique European river ecosystem.