Common Tern

Common Tern, adult, at its nest; Duluth, MN; June

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Common Tern, first winter plumage; Stone Harbor, NJ; September

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

A graceful, black-and-white waterbird, the Common Tern is the most widespread tern in North America. It can be seen plunging from the air into water to catch small fish along rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Description

• Medium-sized tern.
• White with black cap.
• Tail long and deeply forked.
• Wings white with dark tips.

• Size: 31-38 cm (12-15 in)
• Wingspan: 75-80 cm (30-31 in)
• Weight: 93-200 g (3.28-7.06 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes look alike.

Sound

Calls a short "kip" and a harsh "kee-arrr."

Conservation Status

Populations severely depleted in late 19th century for millinery trade; recovered with protection. Declined again by 1970s, probably from pesticide poisoning. Some recovery since then, but still in trouble in some areas. Listed as endangered, threatened, or of special concern in many states.

Other Names

Sterne pierregarin (French)
Gaviotin común (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• The Common Tern drinks mainly on the wing, gliding with its wings slightly raised and dipping its bill several times into the water.
• Common Terns living along the coast drink salt water. They do not seek fresh water even when it is available nearby. Like many seabirds, they have nasal glands that excrete the excess salt.

• The incubating adult Common Tern flies off its nest to defecate 5-50 m (16-160 ft) away. It deposits its feces indiscriminately in nearby water or on the territories of other terns.

Sources used to construct this page:

Nisbet, I. C. T. 2002. Common Tern (Sterna hirundo). In The Birds of North Americaa, No. 618 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.