Elegant Tern Photo Gallery
Nonbreeding adult
Long, drooping orange bill and shaggy black crest around the back of the head are key features. Also note dark primaries in flight.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, September 08, 2015Breeding adult
Medium-sized tern with pointy wings. Long, slender yellow to reddish orange bill, appears to droop at tip. Breeding birds have a black crest that is shaggy at the rear.
© Ethan Monk / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, April 08, 2019Breeding adult
A sleek tern with a thin orange bill, shaggy black crest, and a touch of pink to the underside during the breeding season.
© Andrew Spencer / Macaulay LibraryBaja California, March 11, 2021Not all videos have soundNonbreeding adult
While migrating or during the wintering season, Elegant Terns take rest on coastal mudflats, sandy beaches, or rocky shorelines.
© Benjamin Clock / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, November 03, 2008Not all videos have soundNonbreeding adult
Long, orange bill droops slightly at the tip. Nonbreeding birds have a shaggy black band around the back of head.
© Sean Fitzgerald / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, October 01, 2016Immature
The bill on immatures is yellower than on adults. Juveniles have a shaggy black band around the back of the head and variable amounts of dark mottling on the back and wings.
© Max Brodie / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, August 09, 2020Flock
Congregates on rocky outcrops, beaches, or pilings in the water. Note long shaggy crest at the rear of the head on nonbreeding birds.
© Joan Tisdale / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, August 01, 2017Breeding and nonbreeding
Moves northward for a short period after breeding where they form large flocks.
© Herb Elliott / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, August 24, 2017Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers(Order: Charadriiformes, Family: Laridae)
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