Tern ID from Karachi, Pakistan (1 Viewer)

[@oriolus]

I know this is quite possibly the worst photograph for identification but I got this bird off French beach, Western Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan on 30 January, 2021.

The bird seemed interesting and I was able to get this shot only. That very prominent black nape following from the tip of the eye gave the impression of a Black naped tern but the range is wrong for them I believe.

There were Caspian, Gull billed, Common/ White cheeked, Whiskered, Greater and Lesser Crested terns in the same vicinity.

 

[andyb39]

Whiskered Tern, I think.

 

[Vyomkesh]

Whiskered Tern, I think.

Agreed

 

[Butty]

Gull-billed tern?

 

[Vyomkesh]

Gull-billed tern?

Nope, a non breeding Whiskered. Has this thin black stripe that Gull-billed won't have.

 

[Butty]

Gull-billed tern can also show the head-pattern (and wing-pattern) apparent in the OP's photo.

 

[Vyomkesh]

Ok, thanks. Something to learn