About Sternula albifrons (Pallas, 1764)
This small tern measures 21–25 cm in length with a 41–47 cm wingspan. Due to its size and the white forehead of its breeding plumage, it is rarely confused with other tern species, with the exception of the fairy tern and Saunders's tern. It has a thin, sharp yellow bill with a black tip, and its legs are also yellow. In winter, the bird's forehead becomes more extensively white, its bill turns black, and its legs become duller in color. This species breeds along coasts and inland waterways in temperate and tropical regions of Europe, Asia, north and west Africa, and eastern Australia. It is strongly migratory, and winters in subtropical and tropical oceans as far south as South Africa and Australia. Little terns breed in colonies on gravel or shingle coasts and islands. They lay two to four eggs directly on the ground. Like all white terns, little terns are defensive of their nests and young and will attack intruders. Like most other white terns, little terns feed by plunge-diving for fish, foraging either in coastal saline environments or inland along larger rivers. During courtship, the male little tern offers fish to the female as part of the display. This species produces a loud, distinctive creaking call.
