In winter plumage, this species has a band of black around the back of the head and gray streaks on the crown. These birds were abundant in a variety of wetland habitats where they foraged by dipping their bills into the water while fluttering, similarly to other marsh terns in their genus. We did not see them plunge dive. Clements recognizes 7 subspecies. This is presumably C. h. javanicus which breeds primarily in NE India and winters to Malaysia and Indonesia.
Digiscoped with Panasonic DMC-LX5 | Nikon FieldScope III | 30XWA |hand-held (no adapter).