Bird Description

Summer/fall visitor to warm waters offshore, particularly on weed lines. Often found near similar SOTE, but smaller and more reminiscent of COTE, with narrower and more angled wings. ID: White forehead 'V' extends behind eye (diagnostic). Adult: paler upperparts than SOTE (often difficult to judge). 1st-s: commonest age group with pale fringes to back and pale head. Juv: similar with pale fringes to coverts. Frequently perches on floating wood/debris; SOTE almost never perches this way.