Terns and talons (1 Viewer)

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birder4eva

Active member

• Jul 23, 2014

• #1

I live in Ontario right beside the lake, and every summer I see terns. I think they are Caspian terns but I am not sure. Does anyone have any idea what they might be? I also found a large talon (it was attached to a bone) at the lake. I am not sure what bird it belonged to, but I do notice that mainly the only big birds actually on the shore are turkey vultures. Any ideas?:t:

 

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string boozel

Well-known member

• Jul 23, 2014

• #2

Hi Birder4eva, can't help with the talon i.d but I have seen both Caspian and Common Terns at several points around Lake Ontario. Caspian Terns are much bigger than Commons with a large, sturdy red/orange bill, a feature that has earned them the nickname Carrotbill in some parts. Hope this is of some help,

James.

 

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stonechat1

New member

• Jul 24, 2014

• #3

Lot´s of Forsters´n Terns too over there.
Without photo/description it´s impossible to say to which species the birds you see belong to.

 

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birder4eva

Active member

• Jul 25, 2014

• #4

I think I may be seeing a common tern. The terns are smaller than most of the ring-billed and herring gulls here too.

 

Peter C.

...just zis guy, you know?

• Jul 29, 2014

• #5

Sound is a good way to tell terns apart - especially the Caspian from the others. It's the kind of call you might expect from some sort of big flying reptile in a film!