The Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica) is a distinctive and cosmopolitan member of the tern family. Unlike many of its relatives that are strictly tied to marine environments, this species is highly adaptable, often found hunting over land and freshwater marshes. It stands out due to its unique morphology and specialized feeding behaviors.

Measuring between 35-38 cm in length, the Gull-billed Tern is a medium-sized bird with a robust build. Its most defining feature is its thick, black, gull-like bill. During the breeding season, it sports a solid black cap, pale grey upperparts, and pure white underparts. In winter, the black cap fades to a smudged grey patch behind the eye. Their legs are longer and blacker than those of most other tern species.

The Gull-billed Tern inhabits a wide range of environments. They are commonly found in salt marshes, coastal lagoons, and estuaries. However, they are equally at home inland, frequenting large lakes, seasonal marshes, and even agricultural fields or grasslands far from the coast.

Unlike typical terns that plunge-dive for fish, the Gull-billed Tern has a highly varied diet. It is primarily insectivorous, catching dragonflies, grasshoppers, and beetles in mid-air. They also hunt for frogs, lizards, small mammals, and crustaceans, picking them directly from the ground or the water's surface.

These birds nest in colonies, often alongside other shorebirds or terns. They create a shallow scrape on the ground, usually on sandy beaches, shell banks, or dry mudflats. A typical clutch consists of 2 to 3 eggs, which are incubated by both parents for about 22-23 days.

The behavior of the Gull-billed Tern is more reminiscent of a gull or a hawk than a typical tern. They perform a graceful, steady flight while scanning the ground for prey. They rarely submerge themselves in water, preferring to 'hawk' for insects or swoop down to snatch prey from the vegetation.

While the Gull-billed Tern is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, many regional populations are in decline. The primary threats include habitat loss due to coastal development, human disturbance at nesting sites, and the impact of pesticides on their insect prey.

1. The Gull-billed Tern is found on every continent except Antarctica, making it one of the most widespread tern species.
2. Despite being a 'seabird,' it rarely eats fish, preferring a diet of terrestrial insects and vertebrates.
3. It gets its name specifically from its heavy bill, which looks much more like a gull's bill than the sharp, pointed bills of other terns.
4. They are known to follow agricultural machinery to catch insects unearthed by plowing.

• Look for them in plowed fields or marshes rather than just looking at the open ocean.
• Listen for their unique call, a raspy, nasal 'kay-ti-did' or 'laughing' sound.
• Observe their hunting style; if you see a tern-like bird picking insects off the ground, it is likely a Gull-billed Tern.
• Check for the lack of a deeply forked tail, which helps distinguish them from Common or Forster's Terns.

The Gull-billed Tern is a fascinating example of avian adaptation, bridging the gap between coastal and terrestrial ecosystems. For birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, spotting this unique 'land-tern' provides a wonderful opportunity to observe a species that defies the typical expectations of its family.