Sterna sandvicensis

Perhaps one of the easiest North American terns to identify is Sterna sandvicensis, the only crested tern in the U.S. with a black bill. Like the Royal Tern, the interestingly named Sandwich Tern is a year-round coastal resident. It winters along the edges of the North and South American continents and breeds either on the coasts or on offshore islands in bustling, noisy aggregations. It, too, is a plunge-diver and fish lover.

A more curious tern, in my opinion, Sterna sandvicensis is as distinctive in its physical features as it is in its unlikely name.

I wonder where this tern gets its title? Once, I thought maybe it could be because this species favors sandwiches (a McFishwich, perhaps?). Or maybe it's because that pale tip on its black bill results from it dipping that bill into a jar of peanut butter as it makes itself a delicious PB&J sandwich......I may never know. I might make it my life-long quest to find out.

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Well, this marks my last entry before my trip to Central America! I don't know if I'll post while I'm away, or wait until I get back to back-blip 2 months-worth of (hopefully) awesome photos. Either way, I'll have a lot of new birds to share by the time I return.

Adios, los Blipperes!