Terns in North Sulawesi

[Richard_Jones]

I recently came across terns in North Sulawesi: Some out at sea off Siladen Island and the others above Lake Tondano. Can someone help identify them?

[Michael Szabo]

Have you got any photos of them?

[Richard_Jones]

Michael.
Yes, and I thought I had attached photos (JPGs) but somehow they didn't get through when I submitted. The wifi here is terrible - very low signal.
Let's try again ...
Richard

[Oscar Thomas]

The first is a juvenile Whiskered tern (or potentially a White-winged black tern if that is white on the rump) and the seconds looks to be an immature Sooty tern moulting into adult plumage, but it’s a difficult angle to evaluate.

[sjacques]

I broadly agree, but would discount WWBT completely. The first bird is a juvenile Whiskered over WWBT in my view;

Broad wing bases,
Lack of dark carpal bar,
Chunky build and strong bill,
Head pattern - similar aged WWBT would have dark 'earphones' extending below eye.

Cheers,
Sean

[Richard_Jones]

Hi Oscar and Sean.
Thanks for your IDs. Appreciated.
Regards,
Richard