adult in breeding plumage, showing black cap (California, USA; 2007-06-09)


Elegant Tern
Sterna elegans

Native Range: North America and Latin America

Notes: a large tern, yet smaller and with thinner bill that Royal Tern and Caspian Tern; no sexual dimorphism.

breeding adult; note thin, slightly decurved bill (California, USA; 2009-06-28)
nonbreeding adult, with white forehead (California, USA; 2006-09-30)

adult in breeding plumage, hovering (California, USA; 2007-06-09)
group in nonbreeding plumage (California, USA; 2007-08-26)
diving (California, USA; 2007-06-09) holding fish (California, USA; 2006-07-29)
courtship display(California, USA; 2006-03-12) more courtship; note shaggy crests (California, USA; 2006-03-12)