Take a Tern

[Nerka]

Royal Terns at Moss Landing Refuse in central California, Foggy overcast conditions, fast daring flyers I might add.
D800-300 2.8, a few with 1.4 TC

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bean Counter]

You sure that's not a Caspian tern?

[Nerka]

You sure that's not a Caspian tern?

could be, but if you download the top photo, and zoom in, you can see the large black crown on it's head puffing way out the back, as well as speckled brow. lemmie know what you think after review. here is one view

[boneaddict]

Do you shoot with a brimmed hat.  (incoming presents).    Great photos

[kisfish]

great pics 

[Nerka]

thanks  fer the kudos

[Bean Counter]

You sure that's not a Caspian tern?

could be, but if you download the top photo, and zoom in, you can see the large black crown on it's head puffing way out the back, as well as speckled brow. lemmie know what you think after review. here is one view

Its hard to say, bub. At least for me.

I checked David Sibley's guide and from what I deduce: the caspian possibility is supported by their widespread presence along the west coast-assuming you shot this in WA. The Royal Tern is far more common in southern CA.

However, a distinctive hallmark of the caspian tern is its very red bill. Sibley describes the royal tern with a more orange bill, which seems to jive more with your excellent shots here.

Anyone? 

[rim_runner]

These don’t look like the Caspian Turns that are at the Nisqually refuge. The birds that were identified for me by a very experienced birder as Caspian Turns look bigger with a shorter but thicker bill. The birds at Nisqually also have a solid black forehead. 

[DOUBLELUNG]

Look like royals to me.  I've never seen one in WA.

[runamuk]

the author says Moss Landing Refuse in central California guessing they are royals seeing as they are in Cali

You sure that's not a Caspian tern?

could be, but if you download the top photo, and zoom in, you can see the large black crown on it's head puffing way out the back, as well as speckled brow. lemmie know what you think after review. here is one view

Its hard to say, bub. At least for me.

I checked David Sibley's guide and from what I deduce: the caspian possibility is supported by their widespread presence along the west coast-assuming you shot this in WA. The Royal Tern is far more common in southern CA.

However, a distinctive hallmark of the caspian tern is its very red bill. Sibley describes the royal tern with a more orange bill, which seems to jive more with your excellent shots here.

Anyone? 

[Bean Counter]

 

So much for the "I read it for the articles" line 

[Nerka]

BUT WAIT!!! THERE"S MORE!!! Mr. Bean amazing, did more research and...........................they are Caspian

 http://www.elkhornslough.org/sloughlife/birds/caspian_tern.htm

[Bean Counter]

Wow that's a great website!
I must acknowlege author and pro birder Dave Sibley, whose well written guide makes such distinctions possible. There are birding books out there with great photos, but Sibley's guide seems to be among the better due to the descriptions, habitat ranges, etc.

[Nerka]

I tip my hat off to you, but that punk rocker "hair do" is baffling, who knows!.

[DOUBLELUNG]

While they look more like royals than Caspians, because I was convinced they aren't Caspians (which I see daily from May through September), may I propose elegant terns in post-breeding plumage http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Elegant_Tern/id