Common Tern
Sterna hirundo
The Common Tern is a migratory seabird that can be seen in Britain during the summer months, typically from May to September, with colonies found on coastal islands, estuaries, and inland lakes. It is a widespread breeder in the UK, with notable colonies in eastern and southern England, as well as in Scotland and Wales.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Common Tern in the field.
The Common Tern can be identified by its sleek, streamlined body, forked tail, and distinctive black cap on its head, as well as its sharp, pointed bill and grey wings with a white wing bar.
The Common Tern is slightly smaller than a Black-headed Gull, with a length of around 23-28 cm.
The male Common Tern has a grey back and wings, white underside, and a black cap on its head, with a partial black mask extending behind the eye, and its plumage remains largely consistent throughout the year.
The female Common Tern is similar to the male, with no significant differences in plumage, although juveniles may have a more mottled appearance with brownish-grey feathers on their back and wings.
The Common Tern's call is a sharp, high-pitched "kip" or "tik", often repeated in a series, while its song is a more melodic, whistling phrase.
Common Terns are agile flyers, diving from the air to catch fish in the water, and they are also known for their bold, defensive behaviour when nesting, with adults often dive-bombing predators or intruders.
The Common Tern can be confused with the Arctic Tern, but can be distinguished by its shorter, more pointed bill, and its legs, which are typically red or pink, whereas the Arctic Tern has a longer, more slender bill and darker legs.
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