Birds of North America Illustrations

Caspian Tern Breeding Adult: Large, stocky tern with pale gray upperparts and white underparts. Cap is black and may appear weakly crested; large bill is coral-red. Undersides of primaries are gray. Tail is white, relatively short, and slightly forked; legs are black. Sexes are similar. Winter adult has dark streaked cap and white eye rings. Juvenile resembles winter adult but has gray chevrons on white back, dark gray legs, and orange bill.