Common tern

The common tern, a seabird belonging to the Laridae family, is renowned for its extensive migratory behavior, with four subspecies dispersed across Europe, Asia, and North America. These birds exhibit a strong preference for migration, wintering in the warmer coastal regions of the tropics and subtropics.

Adult common terns are easily distinguishable by their light grey upper bodies, white to very light grey undersides, and striking black caps. Additionally, they feature orange-red legs and a narrow, pointed bill, the color of which varies depending on the subspecies. For nesting, they favor flat, sparsely vegetated areas near water and have even adapted to utilizing artificial platforms such as floating rafts. Typically, each nest contains up to three well-camouflaged eggs, laid on open beaches, which are incubated for about 21-22 days. The downy chicks take approximately 22-28 days to fledge and are primarily fed fish, caught by their parents via plunge-diving.

Taxonomically, terns are small to medium-sized seabirds closely related to gulls, skimmers, and skuas. The common tern's nearest relatives include the Antarctic tern, Eurasian Arctic tern, and roseate tern. Carl Linnaeus first described the common tern in 1758, naming it Sterna hirundo. There are four recognized subspecies, each exhibiting slight variations in bill color and other morphological features.

These birds are widespread across Europe, Asia, North America, and parts of Africa, breeding in diverse habitats such as sandy beaches, islands, and even man-made structures. Despite their adaptability, they face threats from habitat loss, pollution, disturbances at breeding colonies, and predation by mammals and birds. Common terns are exceptional fliers and adept at catching fish by diving into the water. They also communicate through a variety of calls for recognition and social interaction.

Presently, the common tern is listed as least concern on the IUCN Red List, owing to its large population and extensive breeding range. Although they once experienced significant declines due to hunting for feathers in the fashion industry, conservation efforts and protective laws have enabled their numbers to recover. However, in North America, their population has been declining in recent decades due to ongoing challenges such as habitat loss, pollution, and human disturbances. To ensure their long-term survival, international agreements and conservation plans are actively implemented to safeguard these remarkable birds.