Small tern ID?
- kengeorge
- Posts: 121
- Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 8:38 pm
- Location: Golden Bay
Small tern ID?
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?
- Adam C
- Posts: 647
- Joined: Mon May 30, 2011 8:58 am
Re: Small tern ID?
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.
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Samuel Ullman
Samuel Ullman
- kengeorge
- Posts: 121
- Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 8:38 pm
- Location: Golden Bay
Re: Small tern ID?
I considered that but the bill was dead straight, no slight downward curve, and the legs were red rather than more orange.
- RussCannings
- Posts: 1216
- Joined: Wed Sep 24, 2014 5:23 am
Re: Small tern ID?
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
Cheers,
Russ
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- Posts: 1310
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 10:05 am
Re: Small tern ID?
Agreed with all those above. Juvenile black fronted tern.
- kengeorge
- Posts: 121
- Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 8:38 pm
- Location: Golden Bay
Re: Small tern ID?
Thanks guys, much appreciated.