Sandwich Tern
The Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis, is in the tern family Sternidae. It is very closely related to the Lesser Crested Tern and has been known to interbreed with Lesser Crested.
The Sandwich Tern is a medium-large tern with grey upperparts, white underparts, a yellow-tipped black bill and a shaggy black crest which becomes less extensive in winter with a white crown. Young birds bear grey and brown scalloped plumage on their backs and wings.
Like all Thalasseus terns, the Sandwich Tern feeds by plunge diving for fish, usually in marine environments, and the offering of fish by the male to the female is part of the courtship display.
This was photographed on the boat trip to Puerto Jeminez.
© 2013 David Comings Contact Me