The lesser crested tern (Thalasseus bengalensis) is a medium-sized tern in the family Laridae. It is a widespread species, breeding in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean. The lesser crested tern is a migratory species, wintering in the Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and Persian Gulf.
The lesser crested tern is a piscivorous bird, feeding mainly on small fish. It typically hunts by plunge-diving from the air. The lesser crested tern is a colonial breeder, nesting in large colonies on sandy islands. The female typically lays two eggs, which are incubated by both parents. The chicks hatch after about 28 days and fledge after about 56 days.