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.
Region
Red Sea, Arabian Gulf, and northwestern Indian Ocean coasts
Typical Environment
Found along arid and subtropical shorelines of the Red Sea, Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and Arabian Sea coasts from the Horn of Africa to Pakistan and western India. It frequents sandy beaches, offshore sandbars, coral rubble islets, tidal lagoons, and estuaries. Breeding often occurs on open, sparsely vegetated salt flats and sandspits just above the high-tide line. Outside the breeding season it uses sheltered inshore waters and man-made saltpans. Local movements occur in response to water levels and prey availability.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 100 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Saunders's tern, also called the black-shafted tern, is a small coastal tern of the northwestern Indian Ocean. It closely resembles the Little Tern but shows distinctive blackish shafts on the outer primaries. It nests in loose colonies on open sandy or saline flats, making it vulnerable to disturbance and tidal flooding. Careful beach management and protection of saltpans and lagoons benefit this species.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering and quick plunge-dives
Social Behavior
Breeds colonially or in loose groups on open sandy or saline flats, scraping a shallow nest on the ground. Pairs are monogamous during the breeding season and both sexes incubate and feed chicks. Adults vigorously mob intruders near colonies. Roosts communally on sandbars and saltpans outside breeding.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Calls are sharp, high-pitched and squeaky, often rendered as repeated 'kik' or 'tsip' notes. In colonies, birds give rapid chattering alarm calls and piping contact calls in flight.
Plumage
Pale grey upperparts and white underparts with a neat, clean look; in breeding plumage a black cap with a contrasting white forehead. Non-breeding birds show a reduced cap with dark eye-stripe and paler crown. The outer primaries have blackish shafts forming a dark wedge, a key feature separating it from similar small terns.
Diet
Takes small schooling fish, along with shrimps and other small crustaceans; occasionally small mollusks. Hunts by hovering briefly before shallow plunge-dives, or by surface-dipping and picking prey from just below the surface. Often forages over calm inshore waters and tidal creeks where prey concentrates. Will feed singly or in small groups, sometimes near mixed tern flocks.
Preferred Environment
Shallow coastal waters, lagoons, and estuary mouths with clear, calm conditions. Also feeds over saltpans and sheltered bays, especially where tidal movements gather baitfish. Typically keeps close to shorelines, sandbars, and mangrove-fringed channels.
