Key information
These delightful silvery-grey and white birds have long tails which have earned them the nickname 'sea-swallow'. They have a buoyant, graceful flight and frequently hover over water before plunging down for a fish. They are often noisy in company and breed in colonies. The common tern is the tern species most likely to be found inland.
What they eat:
Fish.
Measurements:
- Length:
- 31-35cm
- Wingspan:
- 77-98cm
- Weight:
- 90-150g
Population:
- UK breeding:
- 12,000 pairs
Identifying features:
This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season.
Common tern (adult summer plumage)
Common tern (juvenile)
