The Lesser Crested Tern (Thalasseus bengalensis) is a medium-sized seabird with a slender, elegant build. It has pale gray upperparts, white underparts, and a distinctive black cap that extends from its forehead to the back of its head during the breeding season. Its most striking feature is its bright orange bill, which helps differentiate it from similar tern species. Lesser Crested Terns are commonly found along tropical and subtropical coastlines, breeding in colonies on sandy islands and feeding primarily on small fish, which they catch by plunge-diving. They are regular visitors to the UAE’s coastal areas, particularly around offshore islands and sandbanks, making them an exciting species for birdwatchers and photographers in the region.