Tern

Terns are seabirds in the family Sternidae that have a worldwide distribution and are normally found near the sea, rivers, or wetlands. Previously considered a subfamily of the gulls, Laridae, they are now usually given full family status and divided into eleven genera. They are slender, lightly built birds with long, forked tails, narrow wings, long bills, and relatively short legs. Most species are pale grey above and white below, with a contrasting black cap to the head, but the marsh terns, the Inca tern, and some noddies have dark plumage for at least part of the year. The sexes are identical in appearance, but young birds are readily distinguishable from adults. Terns have a non-breeding plumage, which usually involves a white forehead and much-reduced black cap.

The terns are birds of open habitats that typically breed in noisy colonies and lay their eggs on bare ground with little or no nest material. Marsh terns construct floating nests from the vegetation in their wetland habitats, and a few species build simple nests in trees, on cliffs or in crevices. The white tern, uniquely, lays its single egg on a bare tree branch. Depending on the species, one to three eggs make up the clutch. Most species feed on fish caught by diving from flight, but the marsh terns are insect-eaters, and some large terns will supplement their diet with small land vertebrates. Many terns are long-distance migrants, and the Arctic tern may see more daylight in a year than any other animal.

Tern (company)

Tern is a privately held company that designs, manufactures, markets, and sells versatile bikes for everyday use. The company is based in Taipei, Taiwan and has offices in the US, China, Finland, and the UK. The company's primary products include folding bicycles and cycling accessories, which are currently sold in 65 countries. Though founded only in 2011, the company's bikes have already received a number of international design awards, including iF and Red Dot awards.

In 2013, the company secured from private investors US$4.3 million in funding, which the company will use to accelerate global expansion and to ramp up its product development.

History

Launch

Tern held a "rock concert style launch" on June 18, 2011 at an international press conference in Taipei, Taiwan that was attended by bicycle media from around the world. Reception to the new bikes and brand were overwhelmingly positive with one reporter commenting that the test bikes at the launch "weren't compromised by having a pivot in the middle, and didn't feel like folders. The ride was responsive and comfortable.”

Tern (disambiguation)

A tern is a seabird in the family Sternidae.

Tern may also refer to:

The abbreviation TERN refers to

See also