Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia)
Large bird and elegant flyer. Rare visitor around Montreal which can be easily mistaken for a Common Tern if someone is not familiar with the size difference of these two species.
- 🇫🇷 Sterne caspienne
- 🇩🇪 Raubseeschwalbe
- 🇲🇽 Pagaza piquirroja
Characteristics
- Length: 44-51cm
- Weight: 500-600g
- Wingspan: 125-135cm
How to Identify
Different to the Common Tern, the beak of the Caspian Tern hasn't a black tip and is uniformly colored red. This bird is larger in size and flight is less erratic and slower while sailing over the water searching for prey.
Tap image to enlarge
Click on photo to enlarge.
Where and When to Spot
I was able to spot this species only once in Rapids Park Lachine.