Posted by Sandy Jacobson on March 26, 2001 at 23:47:46:
On the last day of my birding vacation to Florida, we found a medium-sized tern at the Snake Bight boardwalk that I think was a roseate tern. I saw it through a spotting scope while the tide was out. It was very light on the mantle and upper wings, but could not get a good read on the position of any dark tips. I could clearly see red legs and a black bill with no red. The bird was in breeding plumage with a full black cap. The tail was deeply forked, and appeared to be very long and fine, and at times I thought it was actually shorter (then later read in Kaufman's Advanced Birding that roseate tails can appear shorter because they are so fine). I could see no hint of dark on the tail. As far as flight characteristics go, I couldn't distinguish because (sigh)I hadn't studied these and didn't notice. Has anyone else seen this bird, or could give me some info on likelihood of observing this species here and in breeding plumage (ie relative to common or Forster's terns)? The beak and feet color alone should do it, and I have no conflicting info except for the lack of observations at this time in Florida. I want to be fairly sure on this bird...it's my 497th species!