Common Tern
Scientific Name: Sterna hirundoMaltese Name: Cirlewwa tal-Bahar
Family: Terns (Sternidae)
Occurence: Very Rare
Breeds in Malta: No
Overview:
These delightful silvery-grey and white birds have long tails which have earned them the nickname 'sea-swallow'. Their thin, sharp bill is red with a dark tip. Its longish legs are also red. They have a buoyant, graceful flight. Like all Sterna terns, the Common Tern feeds by plunge-diving for fish, from either the sea or freshwater lakes and large rivers. It usually dives directly, and not from a hover. They are often noisy in company and breed in colonies.
Common terns are known to reach an age of 23 years or more.
Status:
Very Rarley seen in the Maltese Islands, recorded about 25 times times. The latest recorded was on March 31st 2006 when 1 bird was seen by a few birdwatchers at Marsaxlokk.
When to See:
Recorded in various months of the year, mostly in Summer.
Photographs:
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| Common Tern, Marsaxlokk, 25th March 2006. (Digiscoped Record Shot) | Common Tern, Marsaxlokk, 25th March 2006. (Digiscoped Record Shot) |
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