Dave B Smith
Well-known member
I saw a "different" Tern today at the tidal mud flats in Cd. del Carmen, Mexico. It caught my attention since it was not with any other terns. The most common here in winter are the Sandwich and the Royal Terns and they are generally in flocks. My first impression was that it was a Sandwich Tern due to size (about 14 inches) and the black bill. But then I saw that it didn't have the tell tale yellow tip on the bill. Then I started checking it out in detail. Red legs, ruled out Sandwich right there. Head was a black cap (including eye) on crown and nape but had a white "forehead" right down to the bill. The cap was a very "neat" looking cap, not like the winter caps of the Sandwich Tern.
Its body was white, wings were grey with darker primaries. Tail was light or white and slightly forked (like Gull-billed Tern tail). The wing tips appeared to extend to about the end of the tail.
I had good views of it perched on ground (with a flock of A. Avocets) and then flying (very easy flight) as passing joggers caused it to move twice.
I have never seen a Gull-billed Tern before so did not pay enough attention to the bill (see previous posts on "how do you identify birds"). Looking at my field guides when I got home, this looks like one good possibility (Juvenile). Other possible is a Juvenile Common Tern but I did not see any red coloring on bill, even at the base.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Its body was white, wings were grey with darker primaries. Tail was light or white and slightly forked (like Gull-billed Tern tail). The wing tips appeared to extend to about the end of the tail.
I had good views of it perched on ground (with a flock of A. Avocets) and then flying (very easy flight) as passing joggers caused it to move twice.
I have never seen a Gull-billed Tern before so did not pay enough attention to the bill (see previous posts on "how do you identify birds"). Looking at my field guides when I got home, this looks like one good possibility (Juvenile). Other possible is a Juvenile Common Tern but I did not see any red coloring on bill, even at the base.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks,