Little Tern vs Saunders's Tern

In short

The Little Tern and Saunders's Tern are small, similar-looking terns best distinguished by their bill color and subtle plumage differences. Little Terns typically have a yellow bill with a black tip, while Saunders's Terns have a black bill. Both species share similar habitats and behaviors, making these features less reliable for identification.

Identification tips

• Bill color: Little Tern has a yellow bill with a black tip; Saunders's Tern has a black bill.
• Forehead patch: Little Tern's white forehead is more prominent in breeding plumage.
• Plumage: Look for subtle differences in the forehead patch and bill color, especially in breeding season.

Size

Both species are small terns with similar body size and structure, making size a poor distinguishing feature.

Plumage

Little Terns have a yellow bill with a black tip and a more prominent white forehead in breeding plumage. Saunders's Terns have a black bill and a slightly less distinct white forehead patch. Both have similar grey upperparts and white underparts.

Behaviour

Both species exhibit similar behaviors, such as hovering over water before diving for fish, making behavior an unreliable distinguishing feature.

Habitat

Both species are found in coastal areas, often near sandy beaches or estuaries, and their habitat preferences overlap significantly.

Voice

Vocalizations are similar, with both species producing high-pitched, sharp calls, making it difficult to distinguish them by sound alone.