Elegant Tern

Thalasseus elegans

The Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans) is a medium-sized seabird known for its striking appearance and graceful flight. With a sleek white body, black cap, and long, slender bill, this species is a beautiful sight along coastal regions. During the breeding season, Elegant Terns gather in large colonies on sandy beaches or islands, where they build shallow nests from debris. They are adept fishers, plunging into the water to catch small fish and squid. Outside the breeding season, they migrate south to warmer waters. Elegant Terns are highly social birds and often forage in large flocks, displaying impressive aerial acrobatics as they dive for prey.

Habitat: Coastal regions and islands