ExploreBird

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

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

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

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

eaten by

Great Black-backed Gull

Larus marinus

Preys on eggs and chicks in nesting colonies.

eaten by

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

Hunts adult terns, especially during migration.

hunts

Pacific Sand Lance

Ammodytes hexapterus

A primary prey fish caught by plunge-diving.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Feathered

These are animals covered in soft, beautiful feathers that help them fly, stay warm, and even attract mates! Think of all the amazing birds you know.

Social

Discover creatures that love to live and work together! These animals form groups, helping each other find food, stay safe, and raise their young.

Aerial

Discover amazing creatures that spend much of their lives soaring high above the ground, often using wings to fly! They might hunt, travel, or even sleep up in the sky.

Singing

Listen to the beautiful sounds of nature's singers! These animals use their voices to attract friends, mark their territory, or even warn others.

Piscivorous

Discover amazing animals that love to eat fish! They're like expert underwater hunters, always on the lookout for a tasty meal from the rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Coastal

Discover life found along the edges where land meets the sea! These habitats are always changing with the tides and waves, offering unique environments.

Migratory

Follow incredible journeys across the world! These animals travel far and wide at different times of the year, often to find better food or warmer places.