adult in breeding plumage (California, USA; 2006-07-15)


Caspian Tern
Sterna caspia

Native Range: Worldwide

Notes: the world's largest tern; thick ruby red bill; breeds in colonies along large lakes and ocean coasts; like most terns, catches fish by plunge-diving head first.

adult in breeding plumage, showing black cap (California, USA; 2006-08-13)
thick red bill opened (California, USA; 2011-08-06)

adult in breeding plumage (California, USA; 2006-07-15)
adult in nonbreeding plumage, with gray cap (California, USA; 2006-03-26)
juvenile (California, USA; 2007-08-08) with two other tern species (California, USA; 2006-07-15)
group (California, USA; 2009-06-28)