35 years of hard work, legal protection and habitat restoration a bird that bears the name "interior least tern" is now off the endangered list in Midwest.

According to WOOD, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Aurelia Skipwith said, "Dozens of states, federal agencies, tribes, businesses and conservation groups have worked tirelessly over the course of three decades to successfully recover these birds."

You know, as much time as I spend outdoors, the interior least tern is a bird that I'm not sure I have ever seen or maybe just simply didn't notice the creature. You bet I will be looking for them now the next time I'm near a lake or by a river.

The interior least tern feed on small fish and build nests on the ground. With as many coyotes as there are in the Midwest, this is a pretty big feat that these terns have bounced back especially when they build their nests on the ground.

If you don't think birds travel far when its time to head south for the winter because these birds fly as far as South America to nest then return in the spring.

At one time these birds were highly sought after for their feathers to use in the making of womens hats. This caused a decrease in their numbers.

As dams and levees were constructed over time, the structures that were built wiped out habitat along shorelines where the bird's build their nests.

It was back in 1985 when the terns were put on the endangered species list. At the time there were under 2000 birds and very few nesting sites.

It wasn't until the Army Corps of engineers that changed their management strategies and created better places for the terns to develop along rivers and shorelines.

The birds are now found in 18 states, with nearly 500 nesting sites and now the population is close to 20,000.

Check out these 50 fascinating facts about dogs:

More From 100.5 FM The River