Royal Tern or Juv Caspian? Baltimore, MD, USA (1 Viewer)

[paul_soda]

Hi All,

Would love some opinions on this. The photo isn't great (thru a scope and far distance), but I was wondering whether this bird appears to be a Royal Tern moving into winter plumage or a juvenile Caspian. In the scope the bill did appear a bit yellower than the surrounding Caspian and I didn't see a dark tip, but with the heat haze it wasn't the sharpest.

Thanks!
Paul

https://imgur.com/a/FRwAIyn

 

[Butty]

this bird

Don't know which one you mean, but all the terns look like Caspian tern.
Could you give the date, please? Thanks.

 

[paul_soda]

Oh, right! Sorry about that. I mean the tern in the middle with the white top of the head above the laughing gull, and the photo was taken today.

 

[Butty]

I'd guess that one's a 1-year-old.

 

[paul_soda]

Thank you! I figured, as the Royals are somewhat rare in the harbor, but wanted to check.