COMMON TERN
The common tern closely resembles the Arctic tern, but it would be a very lost bird if the Arctic tern was on Kefalonia, so you can safely assume the bird is a common tern. The adult in Summer is predominantly white, with a black cap and grey wings. It has a deeply forked tail and a red beak with a black tip. Its legs are red and in Winter it has a white forehead. This tern is pigeon sized, but is a much more elegant bird, with its long, angled, pointed wings and swallow-like tail.
The common tern is a mostly coastal bird, although it can be seen inland on lakes and reservoirs. It is a fast flyer until it spots a fish, then it hovers, before diving headfirst. It then either swallows the fish or takes it back for its mate or chicks. I have seen this bird fishing in the sea across the road from the Livadi marsh, as well as along the South coast, particularly, Katelios.
