May 23, 2025: Each May in Falmouth, male Least Terns attract females by offering small fish. This food exchange strengthens pair bonds, signaling readiness to nest and the male’s ability to provide for all.

Each spring in May on Cape Cod, Least Terns engage in a distinctive courtship ritual that includes food exchange as a key part of pair bonding. The male tern will catch a small fish and present it to a prospective mate, often accompanied by a series of high-pitched calls and an elaborate display. If the female accepts the offering, it signals mutual interest and helps strengthen their bond. This ritual not only demonstrates the male’s ability to provide but also plays a vital role in forming and reinforcing the pair’s connection as they prepare for nesting and raising chicks.

Food exchange among Least Terns is more than just a symbolic gesture. It is a practical test of the male’s foraging skills and overall fitness. A male that can consistently deliver fresh fish demonstrates that he is capable of sustaining a family during the breeding season. The act of presenting the fish often takes place in a highly visible and theatrical manner: the male may strut, bow, or raise his head skyward while holding the fish crosswise in his bill. The female typically evaluates the offering, and if she’s receptive, she’ll accept the fish and consume it, sealing a temporary pair bond that may lead to copulation and nesting.

This courtship feeding, repeated over days or weeks, is essential in solidifying trust and compatibility between the pair. It helps synchronize reproductive timing and may influence mate choice, especially in colonies where many birds nest in close proximity. In this way, food exchange is not only a reflection of individual fitness but also a powerful social behavior that shapes the success of Least Tern breeding colonies across Cape Cod each spring.