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River Tern
Latin Name:
Sterna aurantia
Category:
Size:
42cm
Description:
Sexes alike. Very light grey above; jet-black cap and nape, when breeding; white below; narrow, pointed wings; deeply-forked tail; bright yellow, pointed beak and red legs diagnostic. In winter, black on crown and nape reduced to flecks. Solitary or small flocks, flying about erratically; keeps to riversides, calm waters, large tanks; scans over water, plunging if possible prey is sighted; rests on river banks, noisy and aggressive, especially at nesting colonies (March to mid-June).
Habitat:
inland water bodies, rivers, tanks; almost completely absent on the sea coast.
Food:
fish, aquatic insects; also crabs, other crustaceans and molluscs.
Distribution:
most of India; most common in N and C India.
Call:
Call Description:
an occasional harsh, screeching note.
IUCN:
National Status:
At IITK: