Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans), Mittry Lake, Yuma County

This Elegant Tern was found and photographed by Henry Detwiler and Mickey McLean on 09 August 2016

Casual in Arizona, with 14 accepted state records and a few additional records pending. Most records are from the Tucson area and if accepted by the ABC this will be the 3rd for the Lowere Colorado River Valley and 2nd for Yuma County.

Elegant Tern is distiguished from Royal Tern by the long, drooping bill, usually orangish at the tip, and by the longer more extensive shaggy crest.  It differs from Caspian Tern in the long crest, thin bill and white undersides to the wingtips. Larger than Forster's or Common Tern with a shaggy crest and different bare parts color and shape.

09 August 2016, photo by Henry Detwiler

09 August 2016, photo by Mickey McLean

 

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