Characteristics: A medium sized tern with a black cap, red bill and very short red legs. Very similar to the Artic Tern, but their underside is whiter and wings are darker. The bill and legs are slightly shorter and in flight the forked tail shows shorter streamers.

Habitat: Common visitor to Ireland during the Summer months. Fishes further out to sea than other Terns and is seldom seen inland. Winters in Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean region.

Habits: Usually the first of the terns to arrive in the spring. Dives for fish and sand eels are a favourite.