Here at our mountain retreat, nestled amidst the emerald embrace of Costa Rica’s highlands, the sights and sounds are a symphony of rainforest life. But venture down to our nation’s breathtaking coastline, and an entirely different avian ballet takes flight. Today, we set our sights on a graceful acrobat of the skies – the Common Tern (Sterna hirundo).

While you won’t find these elegant birds gracing our mountain skies, a trip to Costa Rica’s Pacific or Caribbean coasts might just grant you a glimpse of their remarkable aerial performance. Common terns are migratory marvels, crisscrossing continents in search of ideal feeding grounds. During their northern winter (roughly November to April), these terns grace Costa Rica’s shores with their presence.

A Master of the Dive:

The Common Tern is a medium-sized seabird, typically measuring around 33-39 cm in length. Its plumage is a study in contrasts – pearly white underparts gleam against a pale gray back and wings. A black cap, tipped with a white forehead, adds a touch of drama. But the Common Tern’s true beauty lies in its effortless flight. With slender, pointed wings and a deeply forked tail, it cuts through the air with balletic precision.

A true hunter of the skies, the Common Tern is a master of the plunge dive. Soaring effortlessly over the ocean’s surface, it scans for unsuspecting fish. Spotting prey, the tern folds its wings and plummets headfirst into the water, a splash of white against the blue canvas. With a sharp beak and a streamlined body, it’s perfectly adapted to snatching fish from the depths.

A Social Sprite:

Unlike the solitary birds you might encounter in our mountain retreat, Common Terns are social creatures. They often gather in large colonies on sandy beaches or offshore islands. The air above these colonies thrums with their high-pitched calls, a constant chatter as they interact with each other.

Breeding season for Common Terns in Costa Rica is brief, usually occurring from March to May. They create shallow scrapes in the sand as nests, laying a clutch of 1-3 speckled eggs. Both parents share incubation duties, and the chicks, upon hatching, are precocial – able to leave the nest within a day or two.

Spotting a Common Tern:

If you’re lucky enough to visit Costa Rica’s coasts during the winter months, keep an eye out for these graceful birds. They are most commonly seen near the shoreline, often following schools of fish. Here are some tips for identifying a Common Tern:

• Look for a medium-sized tern with a black cap and white forehead.
• Observe its pale gray back and wings contrasting with the pearly white underparts.
• Watch for its characteristic deeply forked tail and slender, pointed wings.
• Notice its agile flight, often hovering or dipping low over the water.

While their stay in Costa Rica is temporary, the Common Tern adds a touch of wonder to our nation’s coastal tapestry. The next time you find yourself by the ocean, take a moment to scan the horizon. You might just witness this avian acrobat performing its dazzling aerial ballet.

For more information, please view our comprehensive guide about the birds of Costa Rica

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