The family Sternidae, commonly known as terns, includes a variety of seabirds found worldwide, primarily near coastal regions and inland waterways. Terns are characterized by their slender bodies, long wings, and pointed beaks, which they use to catch fish and other small aquatic prey. They are known for their graceful flight and often exhibit a distinctive diving behavior when hunting. Terns are social birds, often nesting in colonies on sandy beaches or rocky shores. They typically lay one to three eggs, which both parents help to incubate. Many species within the Sternidae family are migratory, traveling long distances between breeding and wintering grounds.