10/03/99
All Photos Are Copyright Lyn S. Atherton
This page was last updated on 12/02/01.
Elegant Tern--October 1999, Honeymoon Island SRA, Pinellas Co., Florida
Ed Kwater et al. found this first state record of Elegant Tern during a Florida Birding Festival field trip at Honeymoon Island SRA on 10/03/99. It was observed for about a month at the park and, during that time, it closely associated with Sandwich Terns, usually feeding or resting on the beach with them. The Elegant's two outer primaries were dark (retained, worn primaries), but the remainder appeared lighter gray (new). There was a partial (inner) secondary bar and the tail feathers were whitish with pale gray near the tips. We believe the bird was in its second year.
(click on thumbnails for enlargements)
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