31TO35CMS LONG, INCLUDING 6 TO 9 CMSFORK IN THE TAIL.BREEDING ADULTS HAVE PALE GREY UPPER PARTS , VERY PALE GREY UNDER PARTS, BLACK CAP, ORANGE RED LEGS, AND A NARROW POINTED BILL THAT CAN BE MOSTLY RED WITH A BLACK TIP, OR ALL BLACK, DEPENDING ON THE SUBSPECIES. COMMON TERN’S UPPER WINGS ARE PALE GREY, BUT AS THE SUMMER WEARS ON , THE DARK FEATHER SHAFTS OF THE OUTER FLIGHT FEATHERS BECOME EXPOSED, AND A GREY WEDGE APPEARS ON THE WINGS.THE RUMP AND TAIL ARE WHITE, AND ON A STANDING BIRD THE LONG TAIL EXTENDS NO FURTHER THAN THE FOLDED WINGTIPS.IN NONBREEDING ADULTS THE FOREHEAD AND THE UNDERPARTS BECOME WHITE, THE BILL IS ALL BLACK OR BLACK WITH A RED BASE, AND THE LEGS ARE DARK RED OR BLACK.COMMON TERN FEEDS BY PLUNG DIVING FOR FISH FROM A HT. OF 1 TO 6 M, EITHER IN THE SEA OR IN FRESH WATER LAKES AND LARGE RIVERS. THEY MAY EAT LARGE INSECTS LIKE BEETLES AND MOTHS.THEY MAY EAT WORMS, LEECHES MOLLUSKS. ADULT INSECTS MAY BE CAUGHT IN THE AIR.