Elegant Tern

3 weeks ago

Not yet spotted on Fladder

The Elegant Tern is a large, striking tern known for its slender, slightly upcurved orange bill and a prominent shaggy black crest. They are highly graceful flyers and breed in dense communal colonies.

Where to spot

Primarily found along the Pacific coasts of North and South America, particularly breeding in California and Mexico. They utilize coastal beaches, estuaries, and offshore islands.

How to spot

Look for its unmistakable bright orange, slightly curved bill and shaggy black crest. Observe them plunge-diving for fish or resting in large, noisy groups on sandy beaches or mudflats.

When to spot

The best time to observe them is during their breeding season from March to August along the Californian and Mexican coasts. Some southern populations may be present year-round.

Where to spot

Primarily found along the Pacific coasts of North and South America, particularly breeding in California and Mexico. They utilize coastal beaches, estuaries, and offshore islands.

How to spot

Look for its unmistakable bright orange, slightly curved bill and shaggy black crest. Observe them plunge-diving for fish or resting in large, noisy groups on sandy beaches or mudflats.

When to spot

The best time to observe them is during their breeding season from March to August along the Californian and Mexican coasts. Some southern populations may be present year-round.

Credits: Door velodrome - https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/192069914, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=123133674

Elegant Terns are highly colonial nesters, forming some of the largest tern colonies in the world, with tens of thousands of pairs nesting together on a single island.

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