On 4/24/2014 10:41, Christopher Wood wrote: > Hi everyone, > > I believe these are Caspian Terns. There is quite a bit of variation > in bill color of Caspians and they can puff up the rear of their crown > to make them appear a bit more like Royal Tern. Royal would have a > thinner bill that is more orange in color (sometimes at this time of > year they can appear quite red) and pale underside of the wings in > flight. Perhaps the easiest way to tell the two apart here, is that > Royal isn't here. > > Royals occasionally stray north, but inland birds are exceptional with > almost all showing up during a hurricane. One would not find a flock > (or probably even a lone bird) on Cayuga Lake without a hurricane or > other exceptional weather. > > Chris > > Chris Wood > Meg and I just came from Myers. Based on my photos I would have to agree with Chris that these are Caspian Terns, not Royal. The bill has a dark tip with a little bit of yellow at the very tip. Carl Steckler
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