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. |