Caspian Tern
Hydroprogne caspia
The Caspian Tern is considered the world’s largest tern. Their raspy croaking voice could pass for a sound effect of a Sci-Fi Pterodactyl. These birds have territories on five continents. They take their common name from the Caspian Sea, a region where the Eurasian population spends their summers.
In North America, most of these birds breed from the Great Lakes in the east, to the sub-arctic prairies of Canada, but on the west coast there are breeding colonies along the lower Columbia River, around the San Francisco Bay and at several Southern California locations, including South San Diego Bay.
I’ve had the privilege to accompany biologists on their surveys at South San Diego Bay. The tern colonies there include Elegant, Royal, Least, Gull-Billed, Forster’s Terns and Black Skimmers. A walk through a tern nesting colony can be hazardous if Caspian Terns are members. These birds will attack from behind and wing-whip intruders, sometimes resulting in blood spills.
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: Nesting with the Elegant Terns. Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:06:03 10:23 |
|
Location:
Saltworks |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 24 mm, f/8.0, 1/3000 |
File Name: JCD3226.CaspianTern.Chick_ |
| © 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: A chick about to emerge from a 'pipped' egg at the Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:05:27 10:03 |
|
Location:
Saltworks |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 420 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 |
File Name: JCD9747.CaspianTern.Egg_ |
| © 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: This nest's first hatchling. The 'odd' egg appears to be an abandon Double-Crested Cormorant egg. Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:05:27 10:00 |
|
Location:
Saltworks |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 460 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 |
File Name: JCD9740.CaspianTern.Egg_.Chick_ |
| © 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Caspian Tern Chicks(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: Tired chicks ... birth is hard work. Probably one day old with sibling an hour or so old. Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:05:20 10:23 |
|
Location:
Saltworks |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 300 mm, f/6.3, 1/1250 |
File Name: JCD9067.CaspianTern.Chick_ |
| © 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Caspian Tern Nest(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:05:20 10:06 |
|
Location:
Saltworks |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 280 mm, f/7.1, 1/2000 |
File Name: JCD8901.CaspianTern.Egg_ |
| © 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: With what looks to be a Sand Eel at South San Diego Bay near the Chula Vista Marina. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:08:05 7:10 |
|
Location:
J-Street |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/3200 |
File Name: JCD4780.CaspianTern |
| © 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: These birds are common at many shoreline locations here. This bird was seen at the beach at Poe Road. Salton Sea Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:07:06 19:05 |
|
Location:
Poe Road |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500 |
File Name: JCD3563.CaspianTern |
| © 2009 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: Juggling a meal near Lack & Lindsey Roads. Salton Sea NWR and Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:10:13 15:32 |
|
Location:
Lack-And-Lindsey-Roads |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500 |
File Name: D3X4177-CaspianTern |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: The fishing was good this day near Lack & Lindsey Roads. Salton Sea NWR and Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:10:13 17:13 |
|
Location:
Lack-And-Lindsey-Roads |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X8298-CaspianTern |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: The fishing was good this day near Lack & Lindsey Roads. Salton Sea NWR and Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:10:13 17:11 |
|
Location:
Lack-And-Lindsey-Roads |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X8277-CaspianTern |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: The reflection tells the story near Lack & Lindsey Roads. Salton Sea NWR and Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:10:13 17:07 |
|
Location:
Lack-And-Lindsey-Roads |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X8252-CaspianTern |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 11:58 |
|
Location:
W F V Z |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/4 |
File Name: D3X4713-CaspianTern |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 11:55 |
|
Location:
W F V Z |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/5 |
File Name: D3X4711-CaspianTern |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 11:54 |
|
Location:
W F V Z |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/3 |
File Name: D3X4709-CaspianTern |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 11:53 |
|
Location:
W F V Z |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/4 |
File Name: D3X4708-CaspianTern |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: On the prowl for food near Lack & Lindsey Roads. Salton Sea NWR and Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:10:13 15:45 |
|
Location:
Lack-And-Lindsey-Roads |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200 |
File Name: D3X4248-CaspianTern |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: On the prowl for food near Lack & Lindsey Roads. Salton Sea NWR and Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:10:13 15:35 |
|
Location:
Lack-And-Lindsey-Roads |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200 |
File Name: D3X4189-CaspianTern |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: Juvenile at the Saltworks. Part of the South San Diego Bay NWR, San Diego, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:07:27 9:45 |
|
Location:
Saltworks |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/3200 |
File Name: JCD1268-CaspianTern-Juvenile |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: Hungry chick at the Saltworks. Part of the South San Diego Bay NWR, San Diego, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:07:27 13:11 |
|
Location:
Saltworks |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/5000 |
File Name: JCD1788-CaspianTern |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: A chick about to emerge from a 'pipped' egg at the Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:05:27 10:03 |
|
Location:
Saltworks |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 420 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 |
File Name: JCD9747.CaspianTern.Egg_ |
| © 2009 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: Veteran's Park by the Link River (a.k.a. Klamath River) in Klamath Falls is a *go-to* destination for me when I'm in Southern Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2019:08:17 10:39 |
|
Location:
Veterans Park |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/16.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: CaspianTern_D5X4841-VeteransPark-KlamathFalls |
| © 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: Tijuana River Mouth in Imperial Beach, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:03:05 9:57 |
|
Location:
Tijuana River Mouth |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: D3X3385-CaspianTern |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: These terns like to forage where the Klamath River feeds into Lake Ewauna at Veteran's Park in Klamath Falls Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:04 20:22 |
|
Location:
Veteran's Park |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: D3X8697-CaspianTern |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: These terns like to forage where the Klamath River feeds into Lake Ewauna at Veteran's Park in Klamath Falls Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:04 18:10 |
|
Location:
Veteran's Park |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/5000 |
File Name: D3X8531-CaspianTern |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: Large chick at the Saltworks. Part of the South San Diego Bay NWR, San Diego, California. |
Date Taken: 2013:07:24 8:26 |
|
Location:
Saltworks |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/200 |
File Name: D3X0739-CaspianTern-Chick |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: This nest's first hatchling. The 'odd' egg appears to be an abandon Double-Crested Cormorant egg. Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:05:27 10:00 |
|
Location:
Saltworks |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 460 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 |
File Name: JCD9740.CaspianTern.Egg_.Chick_ |
| © 2009 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: Fearlessly guarding the nests at the South San Diego Bay Saltworks in Chula Vista California. Part of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. |
Date Taken: 2017:05:17 9:23 |
|
Location:
Saltworks |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: CaspianTern_D5X1356-At-Nest |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: Fearlessly guarding the nests at the South San Diego Bay Saltworks in Chula Vista California. Part of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. |
Date Taken: 2017:05:17 9:23 |
|
Location:
Saltworks |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: CaspianTern_D5X1353-At-Nest |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: Osprey Overlook at Laguna Atascosa provided meetings with birds like these terns. I made an improptu visit to Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast on Friday and spent the afternoon meeting birds. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:20 14:15 |
|
Location:
Laguna Atscosa NWR |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/6.3, 1/6400 |
File Name: CaspianTern_D506681-LagunaAtascosa |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: Osprey Overlook at Laguna Atascosa provided meetings with birds like these terns. I made an improptu visit to Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast on Friday and spent the afternoon meeting birds. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:20 14:15 |
|
Location:
Laguna Atscosa NWR |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/6.3, 1/6400 |
File Name: CaspianTern_D506692-LagunaAtascosa |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: Osprey Overlook at Laguna Atascosa provided meetings with birds like these terns. I made an improptu visit to Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast on Friday and spent the afternoon meeting birds. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:20 14:19 |
|
Location:
Laguna Atscosa NWR |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/6.3, 1/8000 |
File Name: CaspianTern_D506793-LagunaAtascosa |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: Saltworks. Part of the South San Diego Bay NWR, San Diego, California. |
Date Taken: 2013:07:24 8:27 |
|
Location:
Saltworks |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500 |
File Name: D3X0748-CaspianTern |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: Protesting our presence, with the threat of violence at the South San Diego Bay Saltworks in Chula Vista California. Part of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. |
Date Taken: 2017:05:17 9:16 |
|
Location:
Saltworks |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/6400 |
File Name: CaspianTern_D5X1299 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
|
Description: Salton Sea in Imperial County, near Lack and Lindsey Road. Southern California. |
Date Taken: 2015:10:16 17:36 |
|
Location:
Salton Sea |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/500 |
File Name: D720761-CaspianTern |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Click map markers to reveal further information
