Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans), Canoa Ranch Conservation Park, Pima County

These Elegant Tern was found by Richard and Nancy Willott  on 19 May 2020 and photographed by Richard Willott on the same date

Casual in Arizona, with 19 accepted state records and one pending. Most records are from the Tucson area. Part of a flock of 12.

Elegant Tern is distiguished from Royal Tern by the long, drooping bill, usually orangish at the tip, and by the longer more extensive shaggy crest.  It differs from Caspian Tern in the long crest, thin bill and white undersides to the wingtips. Larger than Forster's or Common Tern with a shaggy crest and different bare parts color and shape. The first picture appears to show a thick billed individual but all other photos are consistent with Elegant and the flock appeared to all be the same size.

19 May 2020, photo by RICHARD WILLOTT

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