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Caspian Tern
Hydroprogne caspia
The Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) occurs on much of the coastlines of the United States and is our largest tern. The very thick orange-red bill and the dark undersides of the primaries are good field marks to the identification of this large species. The first 2 shots here show an adult standing on the beach near the mouth of the Rio Grande at Boca Chica, Cameron Co., Texas, in April, 2009.
The next 3 shots on this page show Caspian Terns in flight at Bolivar Flats, Galveston Co., Texas, in November, 2009. These images were taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark III and an EF 800mm F/5.6 L IS lens.
The Caspian Terns in the next five shots were on South Padre Island, Cameron Co., Texas, in December, 2010. These images were taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and an EF 800mm F/5.6 L IS lens. The Caspian Tern on the right (with its wings open) is next to a Royal Tern.
The Caspian Terns in the next four shots show classic basic (winter) plumage.
This shot shows a close up view of the head and bill of a Caspian Tern in basic plumage.
By plumage and behavior, the bird in the foreground was a first winter bird, while an adult (perhaps the parent of the younger bird?) is in the background.
Caspian Tern
Sterna caspia
Boca Chica Beach,
Cameron Co., Texas
10 November 2014
Caspian Tern
Sterna caspia
immature bird
San Luis Pass,
Galveston Co., Texas
24 September 2015
Caspian Tern
Sterna caspia
immature bird
San Luis Pass,
Galveston Co., Texas
24 September 2015
Caspian Tern
Sterna caspia
immature bird
San Luis Pass,
Galveston Co., Texas
24 September 2015
Caspian Tern
Sterna caspia
San Luis Pass,
Galveston Co., Texas
24 September 2015
Caspian Tern
Sterna caspia
San Luis Pass,
Galveston Co., Texas
24 September 2015
Caspian Tern
Sterna caspia
Cameron,
Cameron Parish, Louisiana
4 Marc 2018

This was a very high Caspian Tern with a Needlefish as prey. Images dropped a great deal but retained for the interesting prey.
Caspian Tern
Sterna caspia
Cameron,
Cameron Parish, Louisiana
4 Marc 2018

This was a very high Caspian Tern with a Needlefish as prey. Images dropped a great deal but retained for the interesting prey.
Caspian Tern
Sterna caspia
Cameron,
Cameron Parish, Louisiana
4 Marc 2018

This was a very high Caspian Tern with a Needlefish as prey. Images dropped a great deal but retained for the interesting prey.