The Indian river tern (Sterna aurantia) is a slender waterbird primarily found inland across the Indian Subcontinent. It is identified by its deeply forked tail, long pointed wings, and a bright yellow-orange bill. During the breeding season, adults sport a distinctive glossy black cap that contrasts with their pale grey upperparts and white underparts; in the non-breeding season, this cap becomes a duller greyish-white. This species measures 38-46 cm in length, weighs 160-200 g, and possesses an 80-85 cm wingspan. These terns are acrobatic flyers, hunting by hovering over freshwater before performing dramatic vertical plunges to snatch fish.