Terns - Family Overview

Terns are slender, graceful seabirds belonging to the family Laridae, closely related to gulls but typically more lightly built, with longer wings, forked tails, and sharper bills. They are highly adapted for aerial foraging and are best known for their agile flight and plunge-diving behaviour. Most tern species are associated with coastal environments, estuaries, lagoons, and open seas, though some also occur along large rivers, lakes, and wetlands inland. They primarily feed on fish and small marine organisms, which they capture by hovering or diving from the air. Terns are generally strong migrants, with several species undertaking long-distance movements between breeding and non-breeding grounds. Many breed colonially on sandy beaches, islands, salt pans, or gravel bars, often nesting in large numbers where conditions are suitable. Plumage in terns is usually dominated by shades of white, grey, and black, with seasonal variation between breeding and non-breeding plumages. During the breeding season, many species develop darker caps or contrasting head patterns. In India, terns are most frequently observed along the coastline, particularly during the winter months, though some species are present year-round. Coastal regions of western and eastern India, offshore islands, and productive estuaries are important habitats for both resident and migratory terns.