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As one of the medium-sized Terns it can be quite tough at times to id.

The common tern can basically be confused with Artic, Antarctic and roseate terns. The bill shape is in all cases dianostic. For the common tern the bill would be long and the top mandible slightly decurved near the tip; colour can vary from bright red to black. One useful tip to remember is that in non-breeding plumage, the CT often shows a small ivory tip (diagnostic!!) So, getting a good shot of the bill is critical. Other features that will add to the overall picture and aid in correctly identifying the tern are:
Length, thickness and colour of the legs;
Upper- and underwing patterns;
Rump and tail patterns;
Size and giss.

Also important: read up about the distribution and seasonal appearance of the different species... that will greatly assist in scratching some possibilities.






Bill descriptions for the other terns in relation to the common tern are:
Artic - shorter and straighter
Antarctic - shorter, heavier
Roseate - longer, thinner

Great close-ups there Johan.

Thanks DD. Leopard-crawling on the beach...

Not a clever tactic tho'... I'm sure you can imagine what happened the first time thereafter when I used my bins to look at another tern-in-flight!

Sandy eye?