SAUNDERS'S TERN

944                    SAUNDERS'S TERN             Sternula saundersi

AUSTRALIA (Cocos Islands)           673

Not very well known tern, also called Black-shafted Tern, and often mistaken for Little Tern. Inhabits coastal areas, and up to two kilometres inland, ranging up to 15 kilometres out to sea when feeding. Found in Bahrain, Iran, Israel, Kenya, Madagascar, Pakistan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Small flock appears on South Island in the Cocos Islands, this may be just a few birds or up to 20.

Photographed Cocos Islands, January 2023