[Dimitris]

Hello all,

Spotted this Crested Tern species at Cullendulla Creek on the NSW south coast today. I am near certain that this bird is just another Greater Crested Tern, but the bill is a bit on the orange side and it did look small in the field. (oh and the rump was grey, just in case...). I am afraid that these are all the photos I have of the bird.

Cheers and thanks for your time!

Dimitris

[Valéry Schollaert]

First impression I have on photos 1 and 3: Lesser Crested Tern (I don't know if they occur there, I've no experience of Australia) with white forehead because of moulting.

Photo 2 is more difficult. It looks very dark, but impression on tern colour varies with light. If it's the same bird I would say it is dark for a Lesser Crested, but still I would be my ID.

Regards,

[Dimitris]

Originally Posted by Valéry Schollaert

First impression I have on photos 1 and 3: Lesser Crested Tern (I don't know if they occur there, I've no experience of Australia) with white forehead because of moulting.

Photo 2 is more difficult. It looks very dark, but impression on tern colour varies with light. If it's the same bird I would say it is dark for a Lesser Crested, but still I would be my ID.

Regards,

Hello Valery and thanks for your reply.

Yes, Lesser Crested Tern does occur to Australia but it is very rare this far south (no records from my local area). And yes, both photos are of the same bird.

In the field all the flight feathers were much paler and silvery then the rest of the wing (which was darker) but I believe that to be due to the moult.

Any other opinions or is it impossible to id?

Cheers!

Dimitris

[Howard King]

Have lots of Lesser Crested Terns here - but don't know if birds south of the equator moult in sync with those North - bill both colour and size plus shape are indeed suggestive of Lesser - However white forehead seems just too extensive and lack of well marked primaries so not certain myself have a look at these images taken just a few weeks ago
http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/dat...A_1887_800.jpg
http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/dat...A_1945_800.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y20...0_5333_800.jpg
http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/dat...A_1878_800.jpg
http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/dat...A_1900_800.jpg

[Dimitris]

Originally Posted by Howard King

Have lots of Lesser Crested Terns here - but don't know if birds south of the equator moult in sync with those North - bill both colour and size plus shape are indeed suggestive of Lesser - However white forehead seems just too extensive and lack of well marked primaries so not certain myself have a look at these images taken just a few weeks ago
http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/dat...A_1887_800.jpg
http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/dat...A_1945_800.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y20...0_5333_800.jpg
http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/dat...A_1878_800.jpg
http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/dat...A_1900_800.jpg

Beautiful photos Howard, thanks for linking.

I see what you mean and I must say that this isn't the first time I've seen an 'orange billed crested tern' in the area (had one again in 2006...).

I think that 208 views and only two responses means that this bird will be left un-ided... But just in case I will pass this info on so that the local birders check the local tern roost... just in case...

Thank you all for trying and looking! :)

Dimitris

[Howard King]

Thank AJ alias Adrian Drummond-hill for the photos - he complains a lot but boy can he take a picture.....................

you can find more on our pages from him at
http://www.hawar-islands.com/blog/aj_stub.php