River Tern

Scientific Name: Sterna aurantia
Common Name: River Tern
Other Name: Indian river tern

Identifying Features: yellow beak, red feet, grey wings, black cap, white underparts, forked tail, pointed wings

Fun Facts:

  • This species breeds from March to May in colonies in less accessible areas such as sandbanks in rivers.
  • River tern feeds by plunge-diving for fish, crustaceans, tadpoles and aquatic insects in rivers, lakes, and tanks. Its numbers are decreasing due to the pollution of their habitat.

 

This image was clicked by Sandeep Gangadharan – via Flickr.

Where have you seen this bird? Let us know in the comments below. You can also share a photo of this bird clicked by you by sending it to birdwatcher@delhigreens.org

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