4/13/02 The 3 large terns with the bright red bills are Caspians. The other terns with thinner, down drooping orange bills and black crests are Elegant Terns (Sterna elegans)
Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve, Orange County, CA
4/13/02 Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve
7/7/02 Diaz Lake, Lone Pine, Eastern Sierra, Inyo County, CA
LIFE LIST NOTES:
COMMON NAME: Caspian Tern
COMMON NAME: Caspian Tern
SPECIES: Sterna caspia
FAMILY: Laridae (Gulls & Terns)
FAMILY: Laridae (Gulls & Terns)
LIFE LIST DATE: 4/13/2002
LOCATION: Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve, Newport Beach, Orange County, CA
From Kaufman Focus Guide-Birds of North America:
HABITAT/BEHAVIOR: As big as a gull, this tern is wide-ranging but usually seen in small numbers. Like most terns, it flies high, hovers, then plunges into water to capture fish in its bill. The only large tern normally seen at inland waters.
IDENTIFYING MARKS: 21" w50": Large size, thick red bill; short crest gives square-headed look. Forehead is clouded with streaks in winter and on immatures. In flight, shows blackish underside of wingtips.
IDENTIFYING MARKS: 21" w50": Large size, thick red bill; short crest gives square-headed look. Forehead is clouded with streaks in winter and on immatures. In flight, shows blackish underside of wingtips.
VOICE: Rough guttural kahhrrrr. Immature has thin whistle, often heard as young bird follows its parent.
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