Dancing Tern

The common tern TURNING in flight (yes, it is belly-up). Commons terns are notoriously tough birds to capture. They are erratic flyers, turning on a dime, and are very fast and precise. They’re lovely to watch because they do love to impress and will dance mid-flight. According to All About Birds, terns are called “sea-swallows” due to their graceful flight and long, forked tails and pronounced aerodynamic build. They are skilled aerial foragers known for hovering over water and plunging down to catch small fish. About half a dozen terns were performing over a quiet body of water that leads into the St. Lawrence River. When they weren't dancing in the air, they were diving for small fish, with accuracy and precision. They all ate well that day.