Black-bellied Tern

Sterna acuticauda

The Black-bellied Tern (Sterna acuticauda) is a striking seabird with a black cap, white forehead, and a distinctive black belly. This medium-sized tern is known for its graceful flight and agile diving abilities. It is often found in coastal and inland wetlands, where it hunts for small fish and invertebrates. During the breeding season, it forms colonies on sandbars and islands, where it lays its eggs in shallow depressions. The Black-bellied Tern is known for its distinctive call and aerial displays during courtship. Although it faces threats from habitat loss and disturbance, conservation efforts are underway to protect its breeding sites and foraging areas.

Habitat: Coastal and inland wetlands