Unlimited edition. 18 x 24 inch, museum-quality poster on matte paper.

The largest tern in the world as well as the most cosmopolitan, the Caspian tern occurs on five continents and frequents both fresh and saltwater habitats. It gets its name from Eurasia’s Caspian Sea (where early ornithologists often encountered the bird), but it’s a species I sometimes saw off the Virginia coast as a child and now encounter in Northern California.

Like other terns, the Caspian is quick and graceful. (Its genus name, Hydroprogne, translates as “water swallow.”) But terns come hard, too. 😤 Their dramatic plunge dives in pursuit of fish earned them the nickname “strikers.” Add the orange, sword-like bill, raucous call, and slick suit of white and grey to the bird’s hunting prowess, and the Caspian tern cuts an impressive figure.

Terns are sometimes described as more elegant versions of their close relatives, the gulls, but I find their whole Laridae family to be dashing. Handsome rogues might be the better description, though, as many members of the family are bandits, harassing other birds and stealing their meals; the Caspian tern is no exception, and turns to such piracy regularly. (The word biologists use to describe such behavior is kleptoparasitism.)

Note: These archival poster prints feature rich, appealing colors. I encourage customers to take care in handling them until they are framed/protected for display; the darker colors on the matte paper can be scratched. They ship rolled, so customers need to flatten them before framing (or have their framer do so).

Charitable Sales Model: Whenever one of these poster prints is purchased, a charitable contribution equal to 10% of the print’s cost (or $3.60) is made to a nonprofit working to tackle environmental or social challenges. Read more about my charitable sales model here.