The Common Tern is the most widespread tern in the Northern Hemisphere and the species most people think of as the archetypal 'sea swallow.' It hovers over water and plunge-dives for fish, often several times per minute. Its black-tipped red bill distinguishes it from the nearly identical Arctic Tern, which has an all-red bill.
Habitat
Coastal beaches, islands, and large inland lakes
Diet
Small fish and marine invertebrates
How common
Common
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