Which Tern might this be? New Bern, North Carolina. 9/23/2023. (1 Viewer)

[fiveroll]

Merlin tends toward Common Tern.
Photo a bit blurry.

 

[Bewick]

I agree

 

[Butty]

Same photo twice (in case you meant to post two different ones). Photo's of too-low quality to be sure of much, including the colours (no offence), but the (apparently) orangeyish bare parts would lead me towards Forster's tern.

 

[Bewick]

Same photo twice (in case you meant to post two different ones). Photo's of too-low quality to be sure of much, including the colours (no offence), but the (apparently) orangeyish bare parts would lead me towards Forster's tern.

Also wingtips seem more plain- unsure if it’s a feature but that is also better for Forster.

 

[qwerty5]

Shouldn't Forster's be molting by now? Also shouldn't Forster's have a longer tail?

 

[Michael Long]

Belly looks too grey for Forster’s Tern

 

[Butty]

shouldn't Forster's have a longer tail?

Long tail-streamers prove things; short tail-streamers can be down to things other than species ID.

Belly looks too grey for Forster’s Tern

Shade. More important to look for grey where it can be judged: neck-side/chest (where it might easily be blown-out/overexposed in this photo).