Bird 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.
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mpp26
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Bird ID

Postby mpp26 » Wed Sep 18, 2019 4:39 pm

Wondered if someone could identify this bird - seen at the Ashley estuary
Tern query.jpg
Tern ID needed
Tern query.jpg (546.23 KiB) Viewed 1399 times
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Liam Ballard
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Re: Bird ID

Postby Liam Ballard » Wed Sep 18, 2019 4:49 pm

My guess is a juvenile White-fronted Tern?
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RussCannings
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Re: Bird ID

Postby RussCannings » Wed Sep 18, 2019 7:04 pm

The grey chest and upper wing, contrasting paler rump, and stoutish body makes this an immature Black-fronted Tern for me (as opposed to an adult that would have an orange bill, more uniform colouring, and a more well-defined cap). WF Terns are always clean white underneath (unless speckled up as fresh juveniles).
Last edited by RussCannings on Wed Sep 18, 2019 9:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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andrewcrossland
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Re: Bird ID

Postby andrewcrossland » Wed Sep 18, 2019 8:01 pm

Yep, its an immature Black-fronted Tern - keep a look out also folks for White-winged Black Terns on the Canterbury estuaries/river mouths and braided riverbeds at the moment too.
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