Ohio Endangered Species - Common Tern

Greg,we have a new ID . This is a Forster's Tern.

I'm leaning towards Forster's (Sterna foresteri) based on the amount of black on the tail in the second photo (none, compared to the black lining Common show). Common often tend to be darker than this bird also. Both are regular migrants in Ohio.

Fosters Tern is a passage migrant in Ohio.

Ava and Greg we must follow up with Liam on this.

I think, based on the tail, it's a Forster's Tern.

http://youtu.be/McVegidjkoM
Common terns are an endangered species in Ohio. Major predators of Common tern eggs and chicks include great horned owls and raccoons. Artificial nesting platforms built along Lake Erie are successfully attracting these birds to more secure nesting areas. The Ohio Division of Wildlife and its partners monitor these colonies & band chicks to evaluate the impact of management efforts. -- The Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp helps fund projects such as this one. Help Keep the Wild in Ohio: Buy an Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp at wildohiostamp.com

Okay Greg,so from What i have read, You had a rare sighting of a Royal tern.
The endangered Common Tern migrates to your state.
SO my best guess is that this is the Common Tern.

Common Terns - The first record of common terns in Ohio was in 1838. Although these birds occur statewide during migration, nesting colonies have always been restricted to western Lake Erie. In recent history, nesting colonies were found only at man-made sites in Maumee Bay and Sandusky Bay. Habitat loss and competition from gulls have been the major factors in depressing their population. Artificial nesting platforms constructed by state wildlife biologists at Pipe Creek State Wildlife Area and Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge have helped production of young for these two tern colonies. These structures, built on pontoons that float apart from shorelines, appear to have reduced predation (by snakes and raccoons) and storm damage to colony nests.

Is it a Fosters Tern - Yellow legs!

http://jimmccormac.blogspot.com/2011/03/...
I know from this link that you have royal terns. Let me read a little more and I will BRB.

This bird is found in Ohio, can it be a Lesser Crested Tern in the Buckeye State?

looks like a tern.

Nice shots Greg! I know it's a tern, but don't know which species! ;-(

Can anyone help me identify this bird? It dives into the water and comes out with fish and flies off.