adult in breeding plumage (California, USA; 2007-05-13)


Forster's Tern
Sterna forsteri

Native Range: North America and Middle America

Notes: closely related and very similar in apearance to Common Tern and Arctic Tern; like most other terns, plunge-dives for fish (sometimes after hovering); in the nonbreeding plumage, retains black eyestripe givingthe bird a masked appearance.

bill red at base, black at tip (California, USA; 2006-04-16)
forked tail, graceful flight (California, USA; 2007-05-13)
non-breeding plumage (California, USA; 2009-09-04) breeding plumage, frontal view (California, USA; 2006-04-16)
hovering flight; bright orange legs and feet (California, USA; 2007-05-13) with a prize (California, USA; 2005-05-20)
group in nonbreeding plumage (California, USA; 2006-03-05) molting into breeding plumage (California, USA; 2006-03-05)
skidding on water surface (California, USA; 2007-05-13) non-breeder in flight; note black mask (California, USA; 2006-04-06)
nonbreeder in flight; note darker bill (California, USA; 2009-03-15) on nest (California, USA; 2008-07-13)
posing for portrait (California, USA; 2006-04-16)