Tern facts for kids

The common tern in flight

Terns are a type of seabird that belong to the family Sternidae. They are often found near the sea, rivers, or wet areas like wetlands.

These birds are known for their sleek and light bodies. They have long, forked tails and narrow wings that help them fly gracefully. Terns also have long beaks and short legs. Most terns are light grey on top and white underneath. They usually have a black cap on their heads that stands out. Some species might have darker feathers during certain times of the year.

What Do Terns Look Like?

Terns are built for flying and diving. Their bodies are slender and not heavy. This helps them move quickly through the air. Their wings are long and narrow, perfect for gliding. The forked tail is a key feature, helping them steer. They have long, pointed beaks which are good for catching fish. Their legs are short, as they spend most of their time flying or on the water.

Most terns have a simple but striking color pattern. They are typically light grey on their backs and wings. Their undersides are usually white. A clear black cap covers the top of their heads. This makes them easy to spot. Some terns change their feather colors slightly during different seasons.

How Do Terns Reproduce?

Terns like to breed in large, noisy groups called colonies. They lay their eggs on the bare ground. They use very little or no material to build a nest. It's often just a small dip in the sand or dirt.

Some types of terns, like the Marsh terns, are a bit different. They build their nests on top of water. They use plants from their wetland homes to make floating nests. A few other tern species build simple nests in trees. Some even nest on cliffs or in small cracks in rocks.

What Do Terns Eat?

Most terns are skilled hunters of fish. They catch their food by diving headfirst into the water from high in the air. They spot a fish and then plunge down to grab it with their long beaks.

Marsh terns have a different diet. They mostly eat insects. They catch insects while flying over wetlands. Some of the larger tern species might also eat small land vertebrates. These could be small lizards or frogs.

Amazing Journeys

Many terns are known for traveling very long distances. They are called long-distance migrants. This means they fly thousands of miles between their breeding grounds and their winter homes.

The Arctic tern is a true champion of migration. It flies from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back every year. This incredible journey means the Arctic tern sees more daylight than almost any other animal on Earth. It experiences summer in both the northern and southern parts of the world!