Saunders's Tern

Saunders's tern shares many of the features of its close relative, the little tern, including a white body, a black-tipped yellow bill, and a black cap with a white forehead patch. In its breeding plumage, it distinguishes itself with a straight-bordered forehead patch, possessing more black outer primaries, and duskier colored legs and feet in comparison to the bright yellow legs of the little tern. In non-breeding plumage, the two are very similar. Saunders's tern is 20–28 cm (8–11 in) long, weighs 40–45 grams (1.4–1.6 oz), and possesses a wingspan of 50–55 cm (20–22 in). It has an average wing length of 16.6 cm (6.5 in), an average bill length of 2.8 cm (1.1 in), and a tail fork depth of about 2.8 cm (1.1 in) on average.

The majority of the Saunders's tern's diet consists of various marine animals, including small fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. It will also eat several varieties of insects. An individual will hover above the water for a sizable amount of time, before making a plunge dive to catch fish.