Sterna hirundo ORDER: CHARADRIIFORMES FAMILY: LARIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

• Similar Species
• Related Species
• Go to: Common Tern Common Raven Common Merganser Common Loon Common Grackle

© 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.