Tern Id--Rio Lagartos, Mexico (1 Viewer)

screech-owl

Well-known member

• Jul 9, 2008

• #1

I saw this tern in Rio Lagartos Mexico. It had a dark back and a gray collar that extended partway around the neck.

Here are some photos (taken by Dave Husic):

 

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J

Jim M.

Member since 2007

Supporter

• Jul 9, 2008

• #2

Looks like a Black Tern to me.

Best,
Jim

 

screech-owl

Well-known member

• Jul 9, 2008

• #3

Would there be Black Terns in Mexico in July? There was a pair of them.

 

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Jul 9, 2008

• #4

From Howell and Webb, re black tern: small numbers may oversummer along pacific coast (jun - jul), and they also state that southward migration starts during July.

I agree this could be a non-breeding plumage black tern (I am not saying it is for certain)

Niels

 

J

Jim M.

Member since 2007

Supporter

• Jul 9, 2008

• #5

screech-owl said:

Would there be Black Terns in Mexico in July? There was a pair of them.

Click to expand...

Yes. In addition to Neil's comments, my Peterson guide to Mexican birds indicates they would be present in migration along both coasts. And they migrate early beginning in July.

I assume you were hoping for something more exotic -- sorry.

Best,
Jim

 

JANJ

Well-known member

• Jul 9, 2008

• #6

Indeed a Black Tern probably a first sunmmer bird - of N. American race surinamensis.

JanJ

 

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Jul 10, 2008

• #7

JANJ said:

Indeed a Black Tern probably a first sunmmer bird - of N. American race surinamensis.

JanJ

Click to expand...

Just to clarify, do you mean hatch year, or the first summer following hatch year when you say first summer?

Niels

 

J

James Lowther

Well-known member

• Jul 10, 2008

• #8

first summer in british english usage implies the plumage after first winter

 

JANJ

Well-known member

• Jul 10, 2008

• #9

Hi Niels.

Yes I mean first summer - that is to say 2nd calendar year, after hatch year, which is 1st cy.

JanJ

 

J

Jim M.

Member since 2007

Supporter

• Jul 10, 2008

• #10

FYI: For those who have Sibley's, page 22 lists the basic terminology for the life year, calendar year, and Humphrey-Parkes molt cycle terminologies. "Juvenile" or "juvenal plumage" would be the terminology for the life year and Humphrey-Parkes systems for the summer in which the bird hatched.

Best,
Jim

 

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Jul 10, 2008

• #11

Thanks. I have always found the term first summer rather vague, especially in the tropics where the bird can easily be born in spring. I cannot put my hand on it right now, but I am sure I somewhere have seen someone use the term differently. Several years back, there was a strong push in Denmark to use the 1c, 2c, (first calendar year = hatch year, second calendar year, etc), designations.

Niels

 

lou salomon

the birdonist

• Jul 10, 2008

• #12

i still find it the most conclusive term: 1cy, 2cy..