Elegant Tern Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesElegant Tern
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 sound
Nonbreeding 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 sound
Nonbreeding 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, 2017Similar SpeciesCaspian Tern
Breeding adult
Caspian Terns are larger and more robust than Elegant Terns. They also have a much thicker and redder bill than Elegant Terns, which have a thin orange bill.
© Kyle Blaney / Macaulay LibraryOntario, May 13, 2015Similar SpeciesRoyal Tern
Breeding adult
Royal Terns are larger than Elegant Terns with a heftier bill. The cap on Royal Terns is less shaggy than it is on Elegant Terns.
© Martin Wall / Macaulay LibraryNorth Carolina, March 30, 2017Similar SpeciesRoyal Tern
Nonbreeding adult
Royal Terns are larger than Elegant Terns with a heftier bill. Nonbreeding adults have a smaller black band around the back of the head than Elegant Terns.
© Maxwell Ramey / Macaulay LibraryVirginia, November 05, 2016Similar SpeciesSandwich Tern
Breeding adult
Sandwich Terns are slightly smaller than Elegant Terns. They have a black bill year-round, whereas Elegant Terns have an orange bill during the breeding season and a yellowish bill when they are younger.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 18, 2011Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers(Order: Charadriiformes, Family: Laridae)
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