? Tern - Barbados (1 Viewer)

J

Jonathan Farmer

Well-known member

• Sep 7, 2009

• #1

Can anyone pleas ID this TERN with no tail? This photo was taken in Barbados feeding fron shalow inland water on 6th September 09

Thanks

JF

 

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chris butterworth

aka The Person Named Above

• Sep 7, 2009

• #2

By the amount of black left in the crown and the upperwing pattern I'd go with Royal. ( but I could be wrong. )
Chris

 

J

Jonathan Farmer

Well-known member

• Sep 7, 2009

• #3

Hi Chris,

Thanks for your input, however this species looks a bit small to be Royal and the beak is dark, not yellow/orange as on the Royal Tern.

 

C

CAU

Well-known member

• Sep 7, 2009

• #4

IMO it is a 1cy Least Tern. It does have a tail, but it is just very short, which is a good feature of Least Tern. Compare with this first-summer bird:
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/PHOTO/LARGE/LETEfirstsum_S.jpg

 

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Sep 7, 2009

• #5

CAU said:

IMO it is a 1cy Least Tern. It does have a tail, but it is just very short, which is a good feature of Least Tern. Compare with this first-summer bird:
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/PHOTO/LARGE/LETEfirstsum_S.jpg

Click to expand...

It can possibly be a least tern, but not a first cy: there is way to much black on the cap. Compare to the one in this thread.

Niels

 

C

CAU

Well-known member

• Sep 7, 2009

• #6

njlarsen said:

It can possibly be a least tern, but not a first cy: there is way to much black on the cap. Compare to the one in this thread.

Niels

Click to expand...

No, it is a 1cy Lest Tern. Note how the primaries (and primary coverts) become gradually whiter inwards, which is a certain sign of a 1cy tern. Older terns show a clear moult limit between worn and dark outer primaries and fresher inner primaries. The bird has a white crown, which can be seen if the photo is lightened.