tern

Everyday

A tern is a seabird like a small, slim gull, with long pointed wings, a forked tail and often a black cap, which dives into water to catch fish. tree →

In the lessons

In science and nature lessons the Arctic tern is famous: it migrates from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back every year, the longest migration of any animal, so it sees more daylight than any other creature. Terns nest on beaches and islands, and walkers must keep away from their nests. Pupils use the tern to learn about migration.

Examples

• A tern dived into the sea and caught a fish. tree →
• Arctic terns fly from pole to pole every year. tree →
• Terns nest on the shingle beach. tree →
• The tern has a black cap and a red beak. tree →
• Keep away from the tern colony in nesting season. tree →
• We watched terns hovering over the waves. tree →
• The tern's tail is forked like a swallow's. tree →

Note

Plural: terns. Homophone: «turn». Do not confuse with «term».