Lesser Crested Tern

Lesser Crested Tern

Scientific Name: Thalasseus bengalensis

Malay Name: Camar Berjambul Kecil

Chinese Name: 小凤头燕鸥

Range: Found along the coasts of Africa to Arabian Peninsula, southern Pakistan to northern Australia. Non-breeding coastal visitor (mostly winter) to Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.

Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: emigratus, bengalensis, torresii.

Size: 35-40 cm

Identification: Non-breeding adult resembles Greater Crested Tern but is smaller and has orange bill. Breeding adult has black crown and nape (including extreme forehead) and brighter orange bill. Juvenile distinguished from juvenile Greater Crested Tern by orange bill.

Similar looking species: Greater Crested Tern

Habitat: Open seas, sea-coasts, mudflats and sandflats.

Behaviour/Ecology: Feeds by plunge-diving for fish.

Local Status: Uncommon migrant

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2018)

Location: Straits of Johor, Straits of Singapore, Changi and Pulau Ubin.

Featured reports: Sep 2022, Oct 2022, Nov 2022, Jan 2023, Oct 2023, Mar 2024, Sep 2024, Oct 2024, Mar 2025

Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):

Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis
Estimated average number of individuals by week based on eBird data, Jul 2014 to Jun 2024
Peak week Apr 23-Apr 29
Early date 16 Jul 2017
Late date 30 Jun 2022
Sightings in recent years appear to be declining, and it seems this species is a bit harder to find than Great Crested Terns.
Non-breeding Lesser Crested Tern at Singapore Strait. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Lesser Crested Terns in breeding and non-breeding plumages at Singapore Strait. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Lesser Crested Tern in breeding plumage at Singapore Strait. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Non-breeding Lesser Crested Tern at Singapore Strait. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Non-breeding Lesser Crested Tern at Singapore Strait. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Lesser Crested Tern in breeding plumage at Singapore Strait. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

External Links:

Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page

Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link

Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link

eBird Species page: eBird (Lesser Crested Tern)

References:

BirdLife International. (2018). Thalasseus bengalensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22694561A132560333.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023

Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.

RECOMMENDED CITATION

Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Lesser Crested Tern. Retrieved on June 18, 2025 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/lesser-crested-tern.

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