Common Terns are most easily recognized by their black heads and red bills. They have a forked tail with elongated tail feathers that are longer than those of many other terns. Their wings are pointed with the inner and outer wing sections being of equal width. The body of a Common Tern is whitish-gray, with the underparts significantly paler than the upperparts, especially in adults. The female is slightly smaller than the male. When flying, the bill is typically pointed downward. Common Terns also have a notably powerful head and neck, along with unusually long legs, which set them apart from similar species like the Arctic Tern.