Saunders's tern facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saunders's tern |
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| Saunders's tern, Saudi Arabia | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Sternula
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| Species: |
saundersi
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| Synonyms | |
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Sterna saundersi |
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The Saunders's tern (Sternula saundersi) is a small bird that belongs to the tern family, Laridae. It is also sometimes called the black-shafted tern. These birds live along the coasts of the north-western Indian Ocean. You can find them in places like southern Somalia, the Arabian peninsula, Socotra, Pakistan, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and northern Sri Lanka.
The Saunders's tern is closely related to other terns. These include the little tern, least tern, yellow-billed tern, and Peruvian tern. It can be very hard to tell the Saunders's tern and the little tern apart. This is especially true when they are not in their breeding colors. Some experts even think they might be the same species.
What Does the Saunders's Tern Look Like?
The Saunders's tern looks a lot like its close relative, the little tern. Both birds have a white body and a yellow beak with a black tip. They also have a black cap on their head and a white patch on their forehead.
When they are ready to breed, the Saunders's tern has some special features. Its white forehead patch has a very straight edge. It also has more black on its outer wing feathers. Its legs and feet are a bit darker than the bright yellow legs of the little tern. When they are not breeding, these two terns look very similar.
Saunders's terns are usually 20 to 28 centimeters (8-11 inches) long. They weigh about 40 to 45 grams. Their wingspan (how wide their wings stretch) is about 50 to 55 centimeters (20-21 inches). On average, their wings are 16.6 cm (6.5 in) long. Their beak is about 2.8 cm (1.1 in) long. The fork in their tail is usually about 2.8 cm (1.1 in) deep.
How Was the Saunders's Tern Discovered?
The Saunders's tern was first described in 1877. A British botanist (plant expert) and ornithologist (bird expert) named Allan Octavian Hume discovered it. He was living in British India at the time, working for the government.
Hume first named the bird the black-shafted ternlet (Sterna saundersi). Later, its common name was changed to Saunders's tern. Some scientists still think it might be a subspecies of Sternula albifrons. This means it could be a type of little tern, or part of a larger group of similar birds.
What Does the Saunders's Tern Eat?
The Saunders's tern mainly eats animals that live in the ocean. This includes small fish, crabs and shrimp, and clams and snails. They also eat different kinds of insects.
When a Saunders's tern hunts, it will hover in the air above the water for a while. Then, it will suddenly plunge dive headfirst into the water to catch its food.
