Small tern ID?

General birdwatching discussion, help with bird identification, and all other things relating to wild birds and birding in NZ that don't fit in one of the other forums.
User avatar
kengeorge
Posts: 121
Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 8:38 pm
Location: Golden Bay

Small tern ID?

Postby kengeorge » Sun Jan 13, 2019 5:15 pm

I came across this small tern, noticeably smaller than the white-fronted terns that he/she was peripherally hanging out with at a high tide roost (Taupata Point Golden Bay). Black bill, red legs, different from the immature wf terns who were also present. The little tern seemed to be keeping it's distance and at one point a small group of the main mob of wf jumped it and tried to chase it off (top image). White-winged black tern?
No_03.jpg
No_03.jpg (246.96 KiB) Viewed 2060 times
No_02.jpg
No_02.jpg (302.54 KiB) Viewed 2060 times
No_01.jpg
No_01.jpg (303.53 KiB) Viewed 2060 times
User avatar
Adam C
Posts: 647
Joined: Mon May 30, 2011 8:58 am

Re: Small tern ID?

Postby Adam C » Sun Jan 13, 2019 5:57 pm

Looks like imm Black Fronted to me but let the experts confirm.
Last edited by Adam C on Sun Jan 13, 2019 8:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
“Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.”

Samuel Ullman
User avatar
kengeorge
Posts: 121
Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 8:38 pm
Location: Golden Bay

Re: Small tern ID?

Postby kengeorge » Sun Jan 13, 2019 6:04 pm

I considered that but the bill was dead straight, no slight downward curve, and the legs were red rather than more orange.
User avatar
RussCannings
Posts: 1216
Joined: Wed Sep 24, 2014 5:23 am

Re: Small tern ID?

Postby RussCannings » Sun Jan 13, 2019 6:20 pm

Coming through as orange on my screen Ken. Plumage pattern seems to fit BF better than WW or whiskered tern too. Bill might still be growing?

Cheers,

Russ
Davidthomas
Posts: 1310
Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 10:05 am

Re: Small tern ID?

Postby Davidthomas » Sun Jan 13, 2019 8:53 pm

Agreed with all those above. Juvenile black fronted tern.
User avatar
kengeorge
Posts: 121
Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 8:38 pm
Location: Golden Bay

Re: Small tern ID?

Postby kengeorge » Sun Jan 13, 2019 9:10 pm

Thanks guys, much appreciated.

Return to “General Birding Discussion”