ID Challenge #2 - closes 14 September 2009

[birdingnzer]

OK - I'll play the game. It's a shame that forest birds aren't so cryptic so I guess will not really be included, they're the ones I'm familiar with. My guess is a juvenile common tern - please don't ridicule me :)

[Shane McPherson]

WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN
Chilidonia leucopterus
non-breeding plumage

An interesting perspective, and perfect to show off that identifying feature:
a saddle/club shaped dark patch from crown to nape (the black ear muffs are reasonably distinguished here too)
orange-grey legs
Shane

[Eila]

This is a white winged black tern

[emmo66]

First impression is a tern, but I think the long legs and reddish colour could mean Franklins Gull

[Graham Saunders]

White-winged Black tern

[keith]

Blackfronted tern

[Nick Allen]

White-winged Black Tern in non-breeding plumage

[Wynston Cooper]

My earlier answer has been worrying me ever since I sent it.

On reconsideration, given the apparent club-shaped nature of the black band over the head and down the nape I'll go with it being an immature white-winged black tern.
Cheers
Wynston

[philbattley]

White-winged Black Tern

[xsainnz]

Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea)