Common Tern

Species Profile

Common Tern

Sterna hirundo

Quick Facts

Conservation

LCLeast Concern

Lifespan

15–25 years

Length

31–35 cm

Weight

110–145 g

Wingspan

77–98 cm

Migration

Long-distance Migrant

Gliding gracefully over coastal waters, this elegant seabird is a master of long-distance migration.

Also known as: Sea Swallow

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Gallery

Common Tern stood on branch in water
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Common Tern stood on branch in water

Appearance

The Common Tern displays a striking combination of light grey upperparts and white underparts. Its black cap, forked tail, and slender wings are distinctive features. During the breeding season, adults have full black caps and vibrant red bills with a black tip.

Non-breeding adults have a white forehead and duller bill. Juveniles show a ginger-brown wash on their upperparts and a dark carpal bar on their wings.

Identification & Characteristics

Colors

Primary
Grey
Secondary
Black
Beak
Red
Legs
Red

Attributes

Agility95/100
Strength60/100
Adaptability85/100
Aggression75/100
Endurance90/100

Habitat & Distribution

Common Terns inhabit coastal areas, estuaries, and large inland water bodies across North America, Europe, and Asia. They prefer sandy or rocky shores for nesting but can also be found on gravel bars and islands in rivers and lakes.

During winter, they migrate to the southern hemisphere, reaching as far as South America, Africa, and Australasia. They are common summer visitors to the UK, USA, and Canada.

Distribution

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Where to See This Bird

Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.

United Kingdom

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

England

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Northern Ireland

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Scotland

BreedingMay, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Rutland

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Cambridgeshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Bedfordshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Buckinghamshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Berkshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Cheshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug

Derbyshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Dorset

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Durham

BreedingMay, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

East Riding of Yorkshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Essex

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

East Sussex

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Gloucestershire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Hampshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Hertfordshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Isle of Wight

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Kent

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Merseyside

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Lancashire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Leicestershire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Lincolnshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

London

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Manchester

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug

Northumberland

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Norfolk

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Northamptonshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Nottinghamshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

North Yorkshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Oxfordshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

South Yorkshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Tyne and Wear

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

West Midlands

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Suffolk

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Surrey

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Staffordshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Stockton-on-Tees

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Warwickshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Wiltshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug

West Yorkshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Worcestershire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

West Sussex

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
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Diet

Common Terns primarily feed on small fish such as herring, sprat, and sand eels. They also consume crustaceans and insects. These birds hunt by plunge-diving from heights of up to 20 meters, entering the water with precision to catch their prey.

Behaviour

Common Terns are agile flyers, often seen hovering before plunging into water to catch fish. They are highly social, nesting in colonies and engaging in elaborate courtship rituals. These birds fiercely defend their nesting territories, diving at intruders with loud calls.

Calls & Sounds

Common Terns are vocal birds, known for their sharp, high-pitched 'kee-arr' call. During the breeding season, they produce various sounds, including a soft 'pit-pit' when greeting mates and a harsh, grating 'kraaah' when alarmed or defending territory.

Nesting & Breeding

Common Terns form monogamous pairs and often return to the same breeding sites year after year. The breeding season typically starts in May in temperate regions.

Nests are simple scrapes on the ground, sometimes lined with vegetation. Females lay 2-3 eggs, which are pale with dark speckles, providing excellent camouflage.

Both parents incubate the eggs for about 21-22 days. The chicks fledge after 22-28 days but continue to be fed by their parents for several more weeks.

Conservation

While listed as Least Concern globally, Common Terns face threats from habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. Conservation efforts focus on protecting breeding sites and managing coastal development to maintain suitable nesting habitats.
LCLeast Concern
[1]

Population

Estimated: 1,600,000 - 3,600,000 mature individuals[3]

Trend: Stable[2]

Elevation

Up to 4,000 meters

Additional Details

Predators:
Main predators include gulls, skuas, ravens, and various mammals such as foxes and rats, which primarily target eggs and chicks.

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for Common Terns near coastal areas, lakes, and large rivers
  • Observe their distinctive fishing behavior: hovering and plunge-diving
  • Listen for their characteristic 'kee-arr' call
  • In the UK and North America, watch for them at coastal nature reserves during the summer months

Did You Know?

  1. Common Terns can live for over 30 years in the wild.
  2. They can dive from heights of up to 20 meters to catch fish.
  3. These birds may fly over 20,000 km during their annual migration.

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Similar Species

Arctic Tern

Arctic Tern

Sterna paradisaea

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