27 December, 2009

Royal Tern


Scientific Name: Thalasseus maximus

Population Estimate: 370K

Range / Habitat: Found on coasts of southern US, Mexico and Central America. These birds winter on the coasts of Peru and Argentina. There is a also a population on the west coast of Africa which shows seasonal movement.

Field Notes: Large tern with grey wings, black legs, black crest, and large oarge bill. Black crest recedes in non-breeding adults, as above. Caspian Tern lighter grey, larger, black cap but no crest, and red bill with black tip. Elegant Tern (which has more restricted range) is smaller, thinner orange bill has light tip which appears to droop, non-breeding cap extends through eye.

Personal Notes: 

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