The Arctic Tern
Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea L 38. Breeds in colonies on islands, grassy dunes etc on clear-water coasts and also by small upland tams. Shows less bias towards diving for fish than Common Tern, more inclined to snatch small animals from the surface of the water and to catch insects in flight. Best distinguished from similar Common Tern by following: longer tail streamers, narrower wings, even more elegant flight with leisurely, springy wingbeats, small head (short neck and bill), very short legs. Upperwings uniformly light grey, without 'nick' in edge. On wing seen from below against the light all the flight feathers appear transparent. Blood-red bill, normally without black tip. Grey-tonAd throatside of neck, separated from black cap by broad white band. Juvenile is recognised by almost white secondaries (grey with white tips in Common Tern) and also not such dark grey leading edge of wing above; back has only hint of wavy grey barring; bill all-dark. Several calls rather like Common Tern's, but in courting and squabbling they have respectively squeakier and clearer ('pee-pee-pee-pee', clear ringing 'pree-e') or harder and rattling calls ('kt-kt-kt-krrr-kt-kt-') than latter. Alarm call against humans a dryer and more rasping scream than Common Tern, 'kree-ERRR', against e.g. crows a loud, sharp 'kIEEu'. SP
An
excellent pocket reference book for recognising birds
is the Hamlyn Guide to Birds of Britain and Europe,
which is a comprehensive reference guide to Britain
and mainland Europe's plethora of ornithological life.
