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Interesting tern at Mangere wtp today
Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2019 8:32 pm
by harryhatman
Any thoughts?
Re: Interesting tern at Mangere wtp today
Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2019 10:01 pm
by Ian Southey
Harry
Try Arctic Tern
Ian
Re: Interesting tern at Mangere wtp today
Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2019 2:47 pm
by phil hammond
I agree. The shape and length of bill, the bulging chest and overall body shape all look good for Arctic to me and although I'm not quite sure what's going on with the posture, I think it might be standing in mud on very short legs and if so the short legs would also be an indicator of Arctic
Phil Hammond
Wrybill Birding Tours NZ
"Great Birds, Real Birders"
Re: Interesting tern at Mangere wtp today
Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2019 3:18 pm
by sav
Me too. The head markings are very Arctic (versus Common), and the bill is rather dainty, but I think the structure is really convincing. Arctic Terns look to me like they are about to topple forwards, with closed wings curving upwards.
I'm not sure what's going on with the posture either, but I wonder if it isn't actually sitting down?
One would want to see it fly to be 100% certain of Arctic Tern, but I'd be very surprised if this was anything else.
cheers