The Elegant Tern is a Pacific Coast tern with a long, drooping orange bill and a shaggy black crest. Nearly its entire world population breeds at two sites in Baja California. After breeding it disperses northward along the California coast. The long drooping orange bill distinguishes it from the Royal Tern. It winters in South America.
Habitat
Pacific Coast beaches and offshore waters from California to Washington after breeding
Diet
Small fish caught by plunge-diving
How common
Uncommon
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