Common Tern

Sterna hirundo

The common tern is a seabird in the family Laridae. This bird has a circumpolar distribution, its four subspecies breeding in temperate and subarctic regions of Europe, Asia and North America. It is strongly migratory, wintering in coastal tropical and subtropical regions.

Common tern in summer plumage. Photo shared on Wikipedia by MPF.
Common tern in summer plumage. Photo shared on Wikipedia by MPF.
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Community Sightings

Recent observations from the iNaturalist community

Common Tern observed by craighensley
Feb 27, 2026
Port Aransas, TX, USA
byCraig Hensley
Research Grade
· 1 ID
Common Tern observed by supergan
Feb 26, 2026
100 Beach Road, Granger Bay Blvd, Mouille Point, Cape Town, 8002, South Africa
bybrian fisher
Research Grade
· 3 IDs
Sterna hirundo hirundo observed by lenus
Feb 25, 2026
Беларусь
bylenus
Research Grade
· 4 IDs
Common Tern observed by sanotar_camping
Feb 24, 2026
Boventrek Street, St Helena Bay, Western Cape, ZA
bySANOTAR-Camping
Research Grade
· 1 ID
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