Lesser crested tern

The lesser crested tern, an intriguing member of the Laridae family, distinguishes itself with its unique appearance and captivating behaviors. Its scientific name, "Thalasseus bengalensis" derives from Ancient Greek, where "Thalasseus" translates to "fisherman" and "bengalensis" refers to Bengal, the region where the species was first identified.

These terns breed in subtropical coastal regions, including the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, western Pacific, and Australia. Some populations migrate to South Africa. The lesser crested tern comprises several subspecies, each differing slightly in size and plumage.

For nesting, these birds favor dense colonies on coastal areas and islands, laying one or two eggs on the ground. Their diet primarily consists of fish, which they catch by diving into saline waters.

The lesser crested tern is medium-large in size, featuring a distinctive black cap and an orange bill, along with a notable grey rump. This appearance differentiates them from similar species such as the Sandwich tern, Elegant tern, and Chinese crested tern.

Juvenile lesser crested terns have a yellow-orange bill and lighter plumage compared to adults. Conservation initiatives like the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) and the Mediterranean Marine Birds Action Plan aim to protect these birds.

Within the habitat range of the lesser crested tern, one can also find the larger royal tern and greater crested tern, species that have their own unique characteristics.