Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)

Common terns live up to their Dutch name 'fish thief'. They grab small fish out of the water in less than no time by diving straight downwards and flying back up directly with their loot. They are very common along the coast, but also along lakes and rivers. They nest and hunt in the Netherlands from the end of March till early November. They often breed in colonies, preferably on marshes, beach plains, low dunes or islands. However nowadays it's not unusual to find them nesting on or in the vicinity of buildings, such as roofs, industrial areas and parking areas. Common terns spend the winter in Africa.

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