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Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans)
Birds Around Las Vegas, Wildlife Around Las Vegas
Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans)

General Description: Elegant Terns (Thalasseus elegans) are large, light-colored terns with a forked tail and a bill that is very long, very narrow, and bright orange. In flight, shows black on the top of the primaries, but the bottom of the primaries is mostly white.

As with most other terns, this species has differing winter and summer plumage. In breeding plumage, Elegant Terns have an extensive black cap (from the top of the bill to the back of the head). During winter, they lose the front part of the black cap, giving them a "going bald" appearance.

Taxonomy: Charadriiformes, Laridae, Sterninae.

Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans)

Favored Habitat: Pacific Ocean; coastal areas.

Where to Find: Don't look for Elegant Terns around Las Vegas. Rather, look for them along the Pacific Coast. Around Las Vegas, keep an eye out for them during migration in places like Lake Mead and the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve, because you never know when something interesting might show up.

Comments:

Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans) Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans)
Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans) Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans)
Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans) Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans)
Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans)
Note the "going bald" appearance of the cap during winter
Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans)
Elegant Tern in flight carrying a fish
Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans)
Elegant Tern feeding a fish to a fledgling or perhaps a mate?
Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans)
Elegant Tern heading out to get another fish
Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 240113
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