Caspian terns
Images copyright by Mark A. Chappell
Caspian terns are easily identified by their large size, big red bills, and loud calls. They are found throughout much of the world, and the two birds above were photographed in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. The one immediately belwo at left was circling over a school of small fish at Bolsa Chica wetlands in coastal Orange County, California. Its cap is a little mottled -- in breeding season it will be a striking black that contrasts nicely with the red bill, as seen in the other pictures. Another winter plumage bird is at left near the bottom of the page, and two immature birds are at the very bottom. The rest of the images were taken at Bolsa Chica or in Pacific Grove, California. Many are carrying a fish back to their nests; one bird has caught a goldfish from a golf course pond in Pacific Grove.
Click here for more flight pictures of elegant terns, royal terns, Forster's terns, and least terns.
