Common Tern

Identification: In alternate (breeding) plumage the bird has reddish legs/feet, reddish bill with dusky tip, a black cap to head ending at eye level and wingtips that are usually slightly longer than the tail in the perched bird. The wings and mantle are silvery-gray and the ventral side of the bird is white. In basic plumage the black cap and replaced with white from the center point of the crown and leading edge of the eye to the bill. The legs and bill turn dark and a black carpal bar appears on the wing.

Left hand bird in alternate plumage and right hand birds in basic plumage

Basic plumaged birds