Terns (Sternidae)
Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans) - HBW 3, p. 646
French: Sterne élégante
German: Schmuckseeschwalbe
Spanish: Charrán Elegante
Taxonomy: Sterna elegans Gambel, 1849, Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico.
Genus often merged with Sterna, but the six species here placed within Thalasseus do share certain common features of morphology which set them apart from other terns. Forms superspecies with T.bengalensis and T. sandvicensis, and perhaps T. bernsteini, and subspecific status has even been suggested. Monotypic.
Distribution: Pacific coast of North America, with very restricted breeding range from S California to C Baja California and from Gulf of California to Nayarit.
- Near Threatened Enlarge map
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An adult and an immature on rocks near the water and flying away Locality California, USA (United States) (Monotypic species)
Don DesJardin 31 July 2004 5 years ago 16 sec 4.3 -
A small group that has come into a freshwater estuary after a morning of foraging in the open ocean to rest, bath, and preen. Locality Ventura River Mouth, Ventura County, California, USA (United States) (Monotypic species)
Don DesJardin 18 October 2008 3 years ago 34 sec 4 -
A slow pan of a small flock that has come into a freshwater estuary after a morning of foraging in the open ocean to rest, bath, Locality Ventura River Mouth, Ventura County, California, USA (United States) (Monotypic species)
Don DesJardin 12 October 2008 3 years ago 33 sec 4 -
An adult bird flying out of a fresh water lagoon after bathing and shaking the water from its head and body while flying, slow-m Locality Ventura County, California, USA (United States) (Monotypic species)
Don DesJardin 31 October 2007 3 years ago 33 sec 3.9 -
Several adults and immatures walking and swimming Locality California, USA (United States) (Monotypic species)
Don DesJardin 31 July 2004 5 years ago 15 sec 3.8 -
An individual hovering Locality Moss Landing, Monterey County, California, USA (United States) (Monotypic species)
Michael Grunow 2 July 2004 5 years ago 3 sec 2.9
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A small flock on a fish boat. Perhaps one of them is Th.maximus.
Locality Lima Department, Peru
Juan A Malo de Molina 5 February 2008 2 years ago 4.3 -
A flying bird with coral-red bill
Locality Lima Department, Peru
Juan A Malo de Molina 7 February 2009 2 years ago 4 -
on the beach
Locality Paracas National Reserve, Ica Department, Peru
oleicfrisbee 3 weeks ago ADDED LAST MONTH 3.3 -
A group of birds.
Locality Lima City, Peru
Carlos Gussoni 20 November 2011 11 weeks ago 3.3 -
A flying bird with yellow bill.
Locality Lima Department, Peru
Juan A Malo de Molina 7 February 2009 2 years ago 3.3 -
Elegant tern flying.
Locality Pucusana, Lima Department, Peru
Nature Expeditions Peru 1 February 2008 2 years ago 3
- No sound recordings available yet
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