Sooty Tern

Onychoprion fuscatus

Beak

—

Feet

—

Crest

No crest

Breeds off Maharashtra coast, Lakshadweep and Maldives?; seas adjacent to breeding islands in non -breeding season. Larger and more powerful than Bridled. with blacker upperparts. more extensive blackish underside to primaries (contrasting with white underwing-coverts). black tail with white outer ta ilfeathers, and white forehead patch not extending over eye (with narrower black loral stripe). Adult non-breeding may show white spotting on crown and white fringes to upperparts; upperparts may a ppear brownish and white feather bases may be visible. Immature is initially similar to juvenile, but a fter one year black of underparts is mixed with white; thereafter, resembles adult non-breeding, but with dark mottling on underparts. Juvenile has sooty-black head and breast contrasting with whitish lower belly, bold white spotting on mantle, scapulars and upperwing-coverts, pale underwing-coverts. Pelagic.