Forster's Tern - (Sterna forsteri)

A winter visitor to the Imperial Valley, this photo shows the winter plumage of the Forster's Tern with a white head and black eye mask. During breeding, this Tern has a black cap on its head. It also has orange legs and bill which help distinguish this Tern from the similar black-legged, red-billed Caspian Tern. One of the best places to see this and other local terns is at Fig Lagoon near Seeley. Watch them wheel and dive to snatch prey from the water's surface.

If you are interested in learning more about this bird online - I recommend you start with the Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD. http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/Infocenter/infocenter.html

They present photographs, songs, identification tips, maps, and life history information for North American birds - including the Forster's Tern

OTHER OUTSIDE LINKS FOR THIS BIRD:

Forster's Tern - Extensive profile with an excellent photo displayed by the "Illinois Birds" Web site from the Illinois Natural Resources Information Network (INRIN).

Marsh-Nesting Terns - Photos and facts for the Black Tern and Forster's Tern displayed by the Canada Environment Web site entitled "The Terns of the Canadian Great Lakes".

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This site is maintained by:

Eldon R. Caldwell
Imperial Valley College
Email: eldonc@imperial.cc.ca.us