Common Tern

The Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) is a seabird in the family Laridae. The four subspecies of this bird breed in temperate and subarctic regions of Europe, Asia, and North America, giving rise to its circumpolar range. It is very migratory, spending the winter in tropical and subtropical coastal areas. Breeding adults have orange-red legs, a narrow pointed bill, light grey upperparts, and white to very light grey underparts. They also have a black cap. The bill may be entirely black or predominantly red depending on the subspecies. The Arctic tern, one of the numerous species that are closely related, can be distinguished based on vocalizations, leg and bill color, and specifics of the plumage.

The common tern breeds in a wider variety of environments than any of its relatives, and it easily adapts to manmade platforms like floating rafts. It nests on any flat, sparsely vegetated surface near water. The nest may be nothing more than a rough patch of gravel or sand, but it is frequently lined or bordered with whatever trash is nearby. Up to three eggs may be placed, and on an open beach, their muted hues and splotchy patterns serve as camouflage. The eggs are incubated by both sexes and hatch in around 21–22 days, however, this time may be extended if a predatory animal disturbs the colony. In 22–28 days, the downy chicks fledge.