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common tern or .. (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Michał Jaro
- Start date
Alexander Stöhr
Well-known member
First impression is that this is indeed an Arctic:
short bill, rounded head, proportions of body and wings look better for Arctic than for Common
rounded black cap that doesnt extend far down at the neck is also better for Arctic.
My only caveat is that this might be a single picture that gives the wrong impression. It is clearly underexposed, so I wouldnt trust in grey/white values.
And I wouldnt argue that this bird lacks the dark wedge on outer primaries that is diagnostic for Common Tern. In April (and often even later in the year), Commons with very poor marked dark wedge are regular. I think this cant be judged on this picture (no offense!)
Do you have more pictures of this bird? My experience is that pitfall pictures are regular with Comic Terns, when only a single picture is consulted. Therefore, it is often better to study a series of pictures, before making an identification in this species pair.
Having said that, it really looks good for an Arctic, so it might indeed be one.
short bill, rounded head, proportions of body and wings look better for Arctic than for Common
rounded black cap that doesnt extend far down at the neck is also better for Arctic.
My only caveat is that this might be a single picture that gives the wrong impression. It is clearly underexposed, so I wouldnt trust in grey/white values.
And I wouldnt argue that this bird lacks the dark wedge on outer primaries that is diagnostic for Common Tern. In April (and often even later in the year), Commons with very poor marked dark wedge are regular. I think this cant be judged on this picture (no offense!)
Do you have more pictures of this bird? My experience is that pitfall pictures are regular with Comic Terns, when only a single picture is consulted. Therefore, it is often better to study a series of pictures, before making an identification in this species pair.
Having said that, it really looks good for an Arctic, so it might indeed be one.
Michał Jaro
Well-known member
The problem is, that I other photos aru not good quality. Unfortunatelly I did not realize in the field that it could be an artctic tern ... (as evidenced by even this clipped picture - I was photographing another bird)
But maybe this pictures show something important.
What more I can say - as for other birds that day, I had no doubt that these were common terns with evident features
But maybe this pictures show something important.
What more I can say - as for other birds that day, I had no doubt that these were common terns with evident features
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RafaelMatias
Unknown member
The last image suggests Common Tern best over Arctic. On Arctic all primaries should look almost translucent in a uniform way, with a thin black border. On this image, however, we see slightly dark outer primaries (with a slight contrast with inner, more translucent, primaries) and a not so thin black border, both characters apparently at odds with Arctic.
SteveClifton
Well-known member
On the first image I thought Arctic, and therefore I agreed with Alexander's comments, but having seen the new images I agree with Rafael. Best left unidentified IMO.
Michał Jaro
Well-known member
What about very short cup visible in new photos and (imo) very short bill ?
RafaelMatias
Unknown member
Michał Jaro;3842029 said:
Bill doesn't look very short IMO, it looks OK for Common. Arctic has shorter bill than what is suggested by the last photos; black cap shape can be misleading in flight shots, especially of low quality (no offense, of course!).
Michał Jaro
Well-known member
there is no way about offense, I'm very grateful to everyone who helps. Reliable identification is the only thing. So If it's a common tern - let it be 
as for the cap - however, it is short in all pictures regardless of the position of the bird. especially look at the cropped image - imo that can not be a photo's pollution
as for the cap - however, it is short in all pictures regardless of the position of the bird. especially look at the cropped image - imo that can not be a photo's pollution
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RafaelMatias
Unknown member
I'd leave it unidentified, as Steve suggests.
Michał Jaro
Well-known member
RafaelMatias
Unknown member
The last photos show a clear Common Tern.
Michał Jaro
Well-known member
Ok , many thanks !! for all comments
SteveClifton
Well-known member
Agree :t:
Andy Adcock
Worst person on Birdforum
Michał Jaro
Well-known member
:t:
RafaelMatias
Unknown member
You got me scratching my head with this one, always learning. It's the US spelling then, I had no idea, really (although I try to be careful with pairs like colour/color...)... Nice to know.'Offence' in real English........
