DEODATTA PATANKAR

Graceful bird with pearly-grey upperparts; jetblackcap and nape, when breeding; white below;narrow, pointed wings; deeply-forked tail; brightyellow, pointed beak and red legs diagnostic. Inwinter, black on crown and nape reduced to flecks.Sexes alike. Solitary or small flocks, flying abouterratically; keeps to riversides, calm waters, largetanks; scans over water, plunges if possible preyVoice Occasional harshscreeching noteRange All over India; mostcommon in N and C IndiaHabitat Inland waterbodies, rivers,tanks; almost completely absent on the sea coastin sight; rests on riverbanks, noisy and aggressive,especially at nesting colonies (March to mid-June).