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Common Tern

Sterna hirundo ORDER: CHARADRIIFORMES FAMILY: LARIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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Common Tern Photo

© 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology

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.

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Calls

  • Calls
    Recorded by Randolph Scott Little, Charles A. Sutherland
    • Courtesy of Macaulay Library
    © Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

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

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Search the Macaulay Library online archive for more sounds and videos