In his book Waterbirds of Taiwan Chang Wan-fu, biology professor at Tunghai University, points out that the little tern can also dive for fish. After catching its prey it soars straight up into the air from the water.
東海大學生物系教授張萬福所著的「台灣的水鳥」中指出，小燕鷗亦可潛入水中追捕魚類，獵物到手後，會直接從水中拍翅垂直上升。