Elegant Tern, Sterna elegans
Elegant Terns nest in Mexico and Southern California, and (like Heermann's Gulls) come to the coast of northern California in large numbers during their post-breeding dispersal. A large colony of Elegants has located for some years in the Moss Landing area. Elegant Terns vary considerably in their bill color and thickness, as can be seen from these pictures. Juveniles generally have smaller bills with color more toward the yellow, and have less extensive shaggy crests, the latter being a distinctive mark of this species. But some juveniles males have relatively thick bills that are tomato-red at the base.
				This Elegant Tern picked up a strip of kelp on a dive for prey, and is temporarily wearng it, like a ceremonial sash.
Elegant Terns with Black Oystercatchers .
An adult Elegant with a begging juvenile; their post-breeding dispersal north from Mexico takes place before the fledglings are independent.