Australian Tern

1. Thick black bill and long black legs set them apart from other terns

2. Black cap in breeding season, changing to a dark eye patch in non-breeding plumage

3. Uniform pale grey upperparts and white underparts, with a short, shallowly forked tail

Australian Terns breed colonially, usually on ground scrapes near water bodies when conditions are suitable. They lay two to five eggs per clutch, and both parents share incubation duties and care for the young. Their breeding can occur at any time of year, depending on water availability. The species is opportunistic in its feeding, taking insects in flight, as well as hunting amphibians, small mammals, and occasionally scavenging. Unlike most terns, they rarely plunge-dive for fish, instead preferring to hawk or pick prey from the surface.

Australian Terns are found across much of Australia, inhabiting shallow freshwater and saline lakes, ephemeral wetlands, coastal lagoons, and sheltered bays. Their presence is highly unpredictable, as they follow rainfall and flooding, often appearing in large numbers at newly filled inland lakes. During dry periods, they move to coastal regions. They breed mainly in Australia but may also be seen in New Guinea outside the breeding season.