On: Sun, 20 Mar 1994 Eric L. Walters <ewalters at SOL.UVIC.CA> wrote:
>I have recently heard some birders discussing the tern on the cover of
>Kenn Kaufman's "Advanced Birding". Can someone settle the debate - what
>species is it?
>
>sincerely,
>
>Eric L. Walters
>Dept. of Biology
>University of Victoria
>Victoria, B.C.
>
>email: ewalters at sol.uvic.ca

I think this could be nothing other than an Arctic Tern, with its short red
bill and (apparently) very short legs. I don't think you need to look for
any other marks. Lighting will change the effect of the "white cheeks"
contrasting with the gray belly in this species; Common and Arctic can look
about the same. Perching on top of a spruce tree is a good clue, although I
suppose Commons in some parts of their range might do this. Look at the
drawings on p. 142 of the same book.

Dennis Paulson, University of Puget Sound