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Common Tern
Sterna hirundo
(S. h. hirundo)
| Armenian Name: | Գետային ջրածիծառ |
|---|---|
| Species Status: | Threatened Species - Species of Special Concern |
See Plate 33 for Common Tern and other similar species
| Resident Status: | Breeding bird |
|---|---|
| Abundance: | Uncommon |
| Length: | 31-35 cm, Wing Span:77-98 cm |
| Distribution Map: | Map 168. |
| Description: | Pale gray upperparts, white underparts, long bill, long thin wings with dark-tipped primaries, and deeply-forked tail. |
| Adult (Breeding): | Black crown, black-tipped red bill. |
| Adult (Non-breeding): | White forehead, blacker bill. |
| Juvenile: | Dark head markings, brown edges on upperparts, and dark leading edge on wing. |
| Similar Species: | Differs from non-breeding Whiskered Tern by larger size, and longer bill, wings, and tail. |
| Behavior: | When fishing, flies with slow wingbeats and head lowered. Often hovers before diving. |
| Habitat: | Fish ponds, lakes. |
| Food: | Fish, invertebrates. |
| Nest: | Shallow ground scrape. |
| Eggs: | 41 mm, 1-3, off-white, dark brown spots. |
