ExploreBirds

Common Tern

Sterna hirundo

The Common Tern is a sleek bird with a sharp beak and striking wings. It loves to catch fish by diving into the water!

Habitat: Coastal areas and islands

Appearance

The Common Tern has a sleek white body, grey back, and pointed wings. It is easily recognized by its distinctive black cap and bright red-orange bill with a black tip. Its slender body and deeply forked tail make it look graceful in flight.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCharadriiformesFamilyLaridaeGenusSterna
Common Tern
wildlife trait badgefeathered trait badgesocial trait badgeaerial trait badge
Common Tern

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

11

Interesting facts

A Common Tern once lived for over 25 years, a very long time for a bird!

Some Common Terns fly over 10,000 km each year, a truly amazing journey!

Their eggs are laid directly on the ground, often on beaches, blending in perfectly!

They are known as 'sea swallows' because of their graceful, fork-tailed flight!

Special abilities

Ability

Long-Distance Navigator

Common Terns undertake epic migrations, flying thousands of kilometers between breeding and wintering grounds.

Ability

Aerial Acrobats

Common Terns have pointed wings and a sleek body that helps them perform agile, graceful flights.

Measurements & details

Length
31-35 cm
Wingspan
72-82 cm
Weight
0.097-0.146 kg
Lifespan
10-25 years
Top Speed
60 km/h
Clutch Size
1-4
Incubation
21-28 days
Migration Distance
10000 km

Diet & Feeding

They mainly eat small fish caught by spectacular dives into the water, but also enjoy insects.

Primary Foods

  • small fish
  • sand eels
  • herring fry
  • shrimp
  • marine worms
  • insects

Foraging Method

  • Pursuit

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

Marsh TernSea Swallow

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Common Tern?

The easiest way to identify Common Tern is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Common Tern?

31-35 cm

What is Common Tern's wingspan?

72-82 cm

How much does Common Tern weigh?

0.097-0.146 kg

How long does Common Tern live?

10-25 years

How fast can Common Tern move?

60 km/h

What does Common Tern eat?

They mainly eat small fish caught by spectacular dives into the water, but also enjoy insects.

Where is Common Tern usually found?

Coastal areas and islands

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Where to spot

More Birds