The lesser crested tern is a tern in the family Laridae.
Region
Indo-Pacific coasts
Typical Environment
Found along tropical coasts of the Indian Ocean, Red Sea, and parts of the western Pacific, including East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian Subcontinent, Sri Lanka, and north to Southeast Asia and northern Australia. It favors sandy beaches, low coral cays, and inshore waters near reefs and lagoons. Breeding occurs on isolated islands with sparse vegetation, often forming dense colonies on open sand or shingle. Outside the breeding season, birds disperse widely along coastlines and estuaries but remain largely coastal.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 100 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The lesser crested tern is a medium-sized seabird of the family Laridae, noted for its bright orange bill and shaggy black crest in breeding plumage. It breeds colonially on sandy or coral islands and often mixes with other terns. Skilled at plunge-diving, it feeds mainly on small schooling fish over warm coastal waters.
Thalasseus bengalensis - MHNT
Many lesser crested terns with a solitary Sandwich tern clicked in Kannur, Kerala, India.
Lesser crested terns at Muzhappilangad beach
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
strong flier with buoyant, agile flight and rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Breeds in dense colonies on open sandy or coral islands, often alongside other terns and gulls. Nests are shallow scrapes on the ground, typically with one egg. Courtship includes aerial displays and males offering fish to females. Parents share incubation and chick-rearing duties.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Vocal and noisy in colonies, giving harsh, rasping calls and sharp ki-irr or kree-ah notes. Calls intensify during courtship and when alarmed, carrying well over surf and wind.
Plumage
Pale grey upperparts with white underparts; in breeding, a glossy black cap with a shaggy crest; in non-breeding, the forehead becomes white and the cap mottled.
Diet
Primarily small schooling fish such as anchovies and sardines, captured by shallow to mid-height plunge-dives. Also takes small squid and crustaceans when available. Often forages in loose flocks and may follow predatory fish or dolphins that drive prey to the surface.
Preferred Environment
Feeds over warm inshore waters, around coral reefs, sandbars, lagoons, and estuary mouths. Rarely ventures far offshore, staying near coastlines and island fringes where prey is concentrated.
