Mixed Terns, St. Lucia, South Africa (1 Viewer)

[frogstar]

Hi, I have a shot of a group of mixed Terns taken in St. Lucia South Africa in February that I'm having problems IDing all birds. Any help gratefully received.
1. Swift Tern?
2. ?
3. ?
4. Grey-headed Gull?
5. Elegant Tern?
6. ?

 

[Kamba]

1. Think Swift.
5. Maybe Lesser Crested. Elegant is an uncommon vagrant to the west coast.
6. And the bird furthest right, think Sandwich

 

[frogstar]

Thank you Kamba. I suspect 2 and 3 are the same species.

 

[Jean FRANCOIS]

Thank you Kamba. I suspect 2 and 3 are the same species.

Little Tern for me.
Jean

 

[lou salomon]

Little Tern for me.
Jean

they are Sterna species (not Sternula) but i wouldn't want to go further.

 

[Kamba]

In which case they’re most likely to be non-br Common...? It was my first thought, but I have little experience with Terns

 

[the_kenyanbirder]

1. Swift Tern
2. Little Tern
3. Common Tern
4. Grey headed Gull
5. Lesser crested Tern
6. Sandwich Tern

(In my humble opinion )

 

[SteveClifton]

Would suggest both 2 and 3 are Common Terns. They are both the same size and have the same colour red legs

 

[THE_FERN]

Would suggest both 2 and 3 are Common Terns. They are both the same size and have the same colour red legs

Agree with this. So: swift, common, common, grey-headed gull, lesser-crested, sandwich for me

 

[frogstar]

Thanks everyone, so swift, common, common, grey-headed gull, lesser-crested, sandwich it is then.