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.