Common Tern

Sterna hirundo

Genus · Typical Terns Family · Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers
Observation tips Difficulty: EASY
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
HarborsOpen waterRiver banksScrub wasteland

Look for the red bill with a black tip. Arctic Terns have solid red bills. Watch for the dramatic plunge-diving action.

Common Tern
Stats
Wingspan77–98 cm
Weight90–150 g
Length31–37 cm
Lifespan wild10–28 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typeScrape
Clutch size2–3 eggs
Incubation21–26 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationMigratory
Social BehaviourColonial

Diet: Piscivore

🦀Crustaceans
🐟Fish
🦗Insects

Habitat

🛶 Lake wetlands🌊 Marine🏞️ River
✦ Fun Fact

Terns are among the world's greatest travelers. A Common Tern can cover over 20,000 kilometres during its annual migration cycle.

About

A slender seabird often called the 'Sea Swallow' due to its forked tail and graceful flight. It is a summer visitor that breeds on shingle beaches and islands. It is a long-distance migrant that travels as far as South Africa. It has a bright red bill with a black tip and a jet-black cap.

Behaviour

Common Terns hover over water before plunging head-first to catch small fish. They are highly defensive of their nests and will dive at intruders. During courtship, the male often carries a small fish in his bill as a gift for the female.

Similar species

Sandwich Tern
🐦
Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensis
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