Terns in Myrtle Beach
Sandwich Terns – Adult with juvenile
By: Pat Coate
Don’t see too many terns in my part of Western NY, so I enjoyed seeing a couple species while in Myrtle Beach. Both were life birds for me.
Sandwich Terns – Adult with juvenile
The adult sandwich tern has a distinctive black bill with a yellow tip. It is in winter or non-breeding plumage. In breeding plumage the forehead area (between bill and crest) would be black.
The juvenile lacks the yellow tip on the bill and was aggressively begging from the adult tern, to no avail I might add.
Royal Tern
The royal tern has a distinctive solid orange bill. This adult bird is also in winter plumage. Per the Peterson Field Guide, royal and sandwich terns are often seen together.
Note that this bird appears to be banded.
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