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.

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: