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Photographer: Kevin Daniels
Caspian Tern is readily identifiable, with its large red bill and black cap. In basic plumage the cap is streaked with some gray, and the bill is perhaps not blood red, but still an impressive bird. And it is our largest tern, weighing a bit more that the Royal Tern that is also seen on Florida's Gulf Coast. Taken at Fred. Howard Park, which on the map is simply called Howard Park. Worth the visit!
As large as a big gull, the Caspian Tern is the largest tern in the world. Its large coral red bill makes it one of the most easily identified terns throughout its worldwide range.
Adult Description
•Large, gull-like tern.
•Black cap.
•Body white.
•Bill large, thick, and brilliant red with dark tip.
Immature Description
Juvenile has blackish crown, black edging to back feathers.
Cool Facts
•The oldest known wild Caspian Tern lived to be more than 26 years old. Average life span of Great Lakes Caspian Terns is estimated to be 12 years.
•The Caspian Tern aggressively defends its breeding colony. It will pursue, attack, and chase potential predatory birds, and can cause bloody wounds on the heads of people who invade the colony. The entire colony will take flight, however, when a Bald Eagle flies overhead, exposing the chicks to predation from gulls.
•The largest breeding colony in North America is off the coast of Oregon. Increasing numbers of terns at this site have caused problems with young salmon releases, some of them endangered species. Efforts are being made to move the colony to other areas, away from the fish stocking programs.
•Young Caspian Terns appear to have a difficult time learning to catch fish efficiently. They stay with their parents for long periods of time, and are fed by them even on the wintering grounds. Many young terns do not return to the nesting grounds for several years, remaining instead on the wintering areas.
Measurements
Both Sexes
Length18.5–21.3 in
47–54 cmWingspan47.2–53.1 in
120–135 cmWeight18.7–27.6 oz
530–782 g
Other Names
•Sterne Caspienne (French)
•Charrán caspia, Pagaza Piquirroja (Spanish)
Habitat
Shore-line
•Breeds in wide variety of habitats along water, such as salt marshes, barrier islands, dredge spoil islands, freshwater lake islands, and river islands.
•During migration and winter found along coastlines, large rivers and lakes. Roosts on islands and isolated spits.
Food
Almost entirely fish; occasionally crayfish and insects.
Nesting
Nesting Facts
Egg DescriptionBuff, sparingly marked with dark spots and sometimes large irregular blotches.Condition at HatchingEyes open. Covered with down and able to leave nest (usually after several days).
Nest Description
A scrape in ground. Lined often with dried vegetation, small pebbles, broken shells or other debris. May have elaborate rim of sticks. Nesting colonies occur on island beaches, often near colonies of other bird species.
Behavior
Flies over water with bill pointing down; plunges into water to catch fish.
Taken at the Manawatu Estuary, Foxton Beach
Family: Stercorariidae
Common name: Caspian Tern
Maori name: Taranui
Scientific name: Hydoprogne caspia
Lanhill Rabab
Caspian Horse are the oldest equine breed still in existence apart from the Asiatic Wild Horse.
No taller than 12.2hh, they are not a pony, but a perfectly proportioned small horse.
Perfect children’s mounts, driving horses, and small sport horse.
Caspian tern (Hydroprogne caspia) at the Pea Island Fishing Boat and Kayak Launch Parking, Outer Banks, NC
There was a fish kill at Wilde Lake. The lake was marked with hundreds of dead or dying fish. The feast did not go unnoticed with a dozen or so Caspian Terns showing up to clean up the easily caught prey. Wilde Lake, Maryland.
Caspian
@ El Rey Theatre
Los Angeles, CA
March 29, 2017
All Photos © Kaley Nelson Photography - www.KaleyNelson.com
Caspian performing at Hidden Agenda in Hong Kong.
Video: www.vimeo.com/13482947
Caspian Tern photographed at the tidal flats east of the Charlestown Breachway in Charlestown, RI on 5 July 2023.
L: Red/Orange/Metal R: Yellow Black AlphanumericX???
Gan Xiaojing found this bird with color rings in Bodega Bay which is in north of SFO. The photo was forwarded through email from Rick Lanctot to David Craig.
A former student (Lauren Eaves) emailed this great photo from her friend (Jay Galvins) of Caspian Terns at Duwamish, WA.
The guys of Caspian agreed to pose for some quick promotional shots while staying with us in Salt Lake City. For the unfamiliar, Caspian is a fantastic instrumental band from Beverly, MA. Check them out here: www.myspace.com/caspiantheband
Copyright King / Kuhns 2010.