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Can you identify this bird? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter kathijo
- Start date
JANJ
Well-known member
Check out Royal Tern here:
http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/showgallery.php?mcats=all&what=allfields&si=royal+tern
JanJ
http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/showgallery.php?mcats=all&what=allfields&si=royal+tern
JanJ
Katy Penland
Well-known member
Far be it from me to disagree with JanJ about seabirds, but the size and shape of that bill looks more like Caspian to me. It's much more substantial, especially the gonydeal angle, than what I've seen of Royals (and Elegants -- two species I have a hard time separating in the field without good, long looks at 'em). Its color is also much deeper into the red tones than Royal, unless there might be some regional variation (all the terns I'm familiar with I've seen off the NA southwest coast).
lou salomon
the birdonist
hi katy and kathi,
the bill just looks reddish. jan's absolutely right with royal tern. as a start, caspian always has a dark end of bill with a tiny yellowish tip. it's gonydeal angle is closer to the tip, the colour is deep red. but what makes this a royal (versus caspian) on first sight is the extensive white front.
salute,
the bill just looks reddish. jan's absolutely right with royal tern. as a start, caspian always has a dark end of bill with a tiny yellowish tip. it's gonydeal angle is closer to the tip, the colour is deep red. but what makes this a royal (versus caspian) on first sight is the extensive white front.
salute,
Katy Penland
Well-known member
So the gonydeal angle being closer to the tip in Caspian is probably what gives it the more substantial depth to the bill? I'll definitely file that away for future reference. :t: The duskiness of the Caspian tip, though, must be pretty variable because I've definitely seen lots of this species where it was hardly discernible, other times where the tip was entirely black.
But I'm confused by the "extensive white front". I've never seen a Royal or Caspian that wasn't completely white on the breast/belly...?
See, I knew I shouldn't have challenged Jan!
But I always learn something new when I do. Thanks, Lou!
But I'm confused by the "extensive white front". I've never seen a Royal or Caspian that wasn't completely white on the breast/belly...?
See, I knew I shouldn't have challenged Jan!
But I always learn something new when I do. Thanks, Lou!
JANJ
Well-known member
Hi there Katy!
In a way I understand the Caspian Tern ID, when having a quick look at the bill shape. Looking at the head pattern, the solid black rear crown togerther with the white forehead, would be impossible in a Caspian. Notice the extension of the dark under the eye (http://www.pelicanman.org/images/Caspian-Tern.jpg) not seen in Royal.
One more of Caspian:
http://www.virtual-bird.com/pictureoftheweek/DSC_5397ws.jpg
JanJ
In a way I understand the Caspian Tern ID, when having a quick look at the bill shape. Looking at the head pattern, the solid black rear crown togerther with the white forehead, would be impossible in a Caspian. Notice the extension of the dark under the eye (http://www.pelicanman.org/images/Caspian-Tern.jpg) not seen in Royal.
One more of Caspian:
http://www.virtual-bird.com/pictureoftheweek/DSC_5397ws.jpg
JanJ
lou salomon
the birdonist
yes, i meant extensive white forehead and not "front", sorry. i'm afraid the placement of the gonydeal isn't much of use in the field, just in photos or when seen at close range. neither is the bicoloured bill tip (sometimes a bit faded but always visible in good pics like this); essentially are the features mentioned by jan (head pattern) and in flight of course the blackish (dark grey) primaries on underside of caspian tern.
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