The White-cheeked Tern (Sterna repressa) is a slender, graceful seabird that breeds along the warm coasts of the Red Sea, Arabian Gulf, and western Indian Ocean — including key nesting sites in the UAE. Smaller and more delicate than the Common Tern, it is best recognized by its distinctive white cheeks, contrasting with a sharp black cap that extends to the nape during the breeding season. Its dusky grey underparts, dark bill, and reddish to blackish legs give it a soft, subtle appearance. This tern favors shallow coastal waters, reefs, and sandy islets, often seen flying low over the sea or perched in compact colonies. In the UAE, it is a local summer breeder, forming nesting colonies on offshore islands — a key species in the region’s marine biodiversity.