tern from NJ (1 Viewer)

[tom baxter]

Can anyone tell for sure which tern this is, from Stone Harbor, NJ?

I had "conclusively" identified it in the field, but looking at the photos I'm not as sure as I felt in the field.

 

[tom baxter]

a few other photos

 

[SteveClifton]

My first though was Elegant Tern.

 

[Nutcracker]

I'd say Royal Tern - bill looks too stout for Elegant, and the bird gives the structural impression of being large.

 

[Birdbrain22]

It is either a Royal or Caspian and I am leaning Royal(mainly on the bill) Elegants are extremely rare on the East coast.

 

[Jeff Hopkins]

Royal.