Saunders's tern , Colaba, India. July 2024

Rare Pelagic Bird...
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. It is 20-28 cm (8-11 in) long, weighs 40-45 grams, and possesses a wingspan of 50-55 cm(20-21 in).