About the Saunders's Tern
Saunders's tern, sometimes known as the black-shafted tern, is a species of bird in the family Laridae. It is sparsely resident along the shores of the north-western Indian Ocean.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
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Saunders's tern shares many of the features of its close relative, the little tern, including a white body, a black-tipped yellow bill, and a black cap with a white forehead patch. In its breeding plumage, it distinguishes itself with a straight-bordered forehead patch, possessing more black outer primaries, and duskier colored legs and feet in comparison to the bright yellow legs of the little tern. In non-breeding plumage, the two are very similar. Saunders's tern is 20–28 cm (8–11 in) long, weighs 40–45 grams (1.4–1.6 oz), and possesses a wingspan of 50–55 cm (20–22 in).
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where the Saunders's Tern lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in South Africa, Somalia, Mayotte.
When to see the Saunders's Tern
Peak activity in April · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Damara TernSternula balaenarumAt 23 centimetres or 9.1 inches in length the Damara tern is a small, rather pale tern.
Peruvian TernSternula lorataThe Peruvian tern is a very small species with a length of about 24 cm (9.4 in).
Fairy TernSternula nereisThe fairy tern is a small tern with a white body and light bluish-grey wings.
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