[Birdtalk] Re: Doug's Terns

[Keeli Marvel]

Doug's Terns look just like a bunch of Royal Terns I photographed at Crystal
Cove State Park in Orange County, CA back in January.  I actually sent my
pictures to a local seasoned birder, Doug Willick, from the Audubon chapter
in that area, who agreed that they were Royal Terns, and passed along
the following info:

"Unless they are side by side [Elegant and Royal Terns], the differences are
fairly subtle.  Fortunately we get decent numbers of both species in the
county, as both breed at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, so we often get to
compare them directly.  Actually, Elegant is by far more common than Royal,
except during winter (roughly, November to February) when virtually all
Elegants withdraw to Mexico and parts south.  There are a couple mid-winter
Elegant Tern records for Orange County, as well as records for other So Cal
counties, but of the two mid-sized, orange to red-orange billed “look-alike”
terns, Royal is the “default” species during the mid-winter months.
Although easier to distinguish, Caspians also winter in the county
(generally in smallish numbers), but they of course have the much heavier,
and deep red bills, etc.  In comparison to Royal, Elegants are somewhat
smaller overall (no help of course if there is just one species present),
with proportionately thinner dagger-like bills, which tend to have a slight
down-curved look (at least a bit more so than Royals show).  Bill color is
variable on these, especially on Elegants.  To my eyes, Royals seem to
appear deep orange to red-orange, while Elegants can be everything from
yellowish-orange to red-orange like Royals.  In basic plumage, Elegants
retain a bit more black on the head. From fall to December (or perhaps
January), the black on a Royal’s crown is pretty much restricted to the nape
and generally does not come as far forward as they eyes, whereas on Elegant
(in basic plumage) the black always extends forward, narrowly, up to the
eyes.  However, now (late January), Royals are already getting black coming
in, so that mark is not useful. Royals are fairly scarce in the summer
months here, but about 20 years a few pairs began breeding at Bolsa Chica,
and now perhaps as many as 25 pairs may now breed.  Numbers of wintering
Royals in the county seem to fluctuate year to year, but during the fall we
had unprecedented numbers at Bolsa Chica and vicinity (with counts as high
as 160 birds).  Its interesting how early that Royals on the west coast
develop breeding plumage (I understand the timing of this varies, compared
to birds on the Atlantic)."

It's wonderful how willing people can be to share information
about something they're passionate about!

Don't know if this is helpful for Doug's IDing, but just based on the
photograph, they look like Royal Terns. Actually, to me, they look like a
bunch of funny little old men hanging out on the beach.

Happy Birding,

Keeli Marvel
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