The Common Tern

About the Book

For more than twenty years the authors studied the complex breeding and social behavior of colonies of terns.

A significant dynamic of their social behavior is their “mobbing” behavior when they aggressively defend their nests against predators and will attack intruders, including human beings.

Analysis of this and other behaviors as they affect breeding and population provide fascinating insights in the study of birds.

About the Author

Michael Gochfeld is Director of the Division of Occupational Health and Clinical Professor at the University of Medicine and Dentistry, New Jersey. His research and writings include studies of the effects of environmental pollution such as oil pollution, pesticides, mercury, and lead, on seabirds and other animals.