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Tern ID (1 Viewer)

assayer

Well-known member
This photo was taken Friday 4 June, Northeast of Houston, TX about 20 miles inland. It appears to be a Tern and my best guess would be a Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri). Would a real Birder please provide guidance to a novice.

Many thanks,
 

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Yep, Forster's Tern.

The most similar species is Common Tern, which also has a red bill with a black tip, but in Common, the bill is not so heavy, a bit shorter and less thick, and also the legs are a bit shorter, and the wings longer, extending beyond the tip of the tail.

Michael
 
Hi all,
I agree,this bird is clearly a Forster's Tern.In addition to the features given by MF,there is another excellent ID feature to seperate adult summer-type Common and Forster's Terns:in the latter,the black of the crown meets the bill higher up on the head,exposing a larger white area on the lores.
To illustrate this,take a look at the links below
http://www.simplybirdsandmoths.co.uk/common-tern-024.jpg
(adult-type Common)
http://www.southwestbirders.com/ss072702/forster's%20tern%20ss072702.jpg
(adult-type Forster's,also note thicker and paler bill)
Harry
 
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