Which Tern? (1 Viewer)

[cuckooroller]

Hi Guys,

I'm bucking a consensus with these pics. A number of people, including the author, have been telling me these are of a species for which I seem to be the only voice in the wilderness not seeing it that way. Either they're nuts or I am badly stringing one.

From the Texas Gulf Coast, and mating so in alternate plumage.

 

[Jane Turner]

Royal Terns? Will apply brain later! The bird in the right hand side of the left hand pic is the only one which made me look twice (as poss Caspo) and if I am honest, until I saw where the pic was taken I was thinking more along Lesser-crest/Elegant lines.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Would think they're Royals too - but I'm not much cop on these big tern jobs.

 

[Jane Turner]

Just notices a Gull-bill? or poss Sarnie in the left hand pic too!

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Think I can see a yellow tip to the bill (hope I'm not imagining it!) so I think it's a Sarnie.

 

[cuckooroller]

Just notices a Gull-bill? or poss Sarnie in the left hand pic too!

What is a Sarnie? Sandwich Tern?

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Yes! Sorry Steve - British colloquialisms!

 

[Rob Smallwood]

Royals and and a Sandwich for me too - time for the full story now Steve?

 

[cuckooroller]

Royals and and a Sandwich for me too - time for the full story now Steve?

Well, at least I am not nuts! These pics are supposedly Caspian Terns. I have never seen them as Caspians but rather as Royal Terns. I don't see a lot of black under the tail. Considering just the bill alone, the birds pictured in alternate have orange bills and compared with the Caspian bill, which when alternate, should be bright red with a sub-terminal black ring and an orange terminus, at the culmen are just not thick enough and certainly don't demonstrate the massive culmen of the Caspian.

:bounce:

 

[Jane Turner]

100% not Caspos!

 

[cuckooroller]

Thanks Guys! I always thought these were Royals in spite of what others were saying about them.

 

[godwit]

especially when in full breeding condition American Royal Terns (subspp maxima) do often develop redder tones in the bill so maybe that is what is confusing people...but these are undoubted Royals, the underside of the primaries is black in Caspian of course.

dave

 

[Grousemore]

Another point for Royal is the more distinctive crested look than a Caspian would show.

 

[Warbler]

I definitely agree, Royal Terns and probable Sandwich. I was just in FL a couple weeks ago and saw lots of them. Here are a few pics.

 

[Warbler]

Here's a few more photos.........

 

[Chaiyan]

Agree, all Royals alright. :bounce:

Steve, re your private email Caspian should have way stubbier 'n reddier bill with (as you said) a black subterminal dot and less shaggy nape/crest.

Ken Kaufman refers the bill color of the Royal as carrot orange which I personally much like that metaphor.

Also in the 1st pix, there is a lone Sandwich among Royals on the left background.

Gotta go find/shoot migrating sparrows now. it's about time they show up!

 

[Rob Smallwood]

Shoot

?

A photographer's metaphor I hope?

 

[Chaiyan]

Ha, no need bein' too ruffling up. o

Yes, I meant photographing. I enjoy birds and outdoor by observing and studying 'em, not by other means. :bounce:

 

[cuckooroller]

Agree, all Royals alright. :bounce:

Steve, re your private email Caspian should have way stubbier 'n reddier bill with (as you said) a black subterminal dot and less shaggy nape/crest.

Ken Kaufman refers the bill color of the Royal as carrot orange which I personally much like that metaphor.

Also in the 1st pix, there is a lone Sandwich among Royals on the left background.

Gotta go find/shoot migrating sparrows now. it's about time they show up!

Chaiyan,
Thanks. Good luck on the hunt!

 

[HH75]

Hi Steve,
You mention 'a couple of people,including the author(my italics)' calling these Caspian Terns:am I to believe that a published book has stated that this was the case?Agree completely with the others above,they are certainly Royal Terns(all that reading up about 'orange billed' terns when the Elegant was at Dingle leaves some information in one's mind!).
Harry