Gull? (1 Viewer)

[lassa8]

I just found this picture while going through files on my computer. It was taken in July 2001 at a beach in a nature presearve near Gulf Shores, Alabama. I vaguely remember spending about 10 minutes trying to track and photograph any bird that I could with my digital camera. Any suggestions at all are welcome!

 

[Bluetail]

Hi lassa8. Your picture didn't upload. When you're in "Manage attachments" and you click the "Add this file" button, you need to wait (quite a while sometimes) until you see the file name appear before you click "All done".

Jason

 

[lassa8]

Whoops, sorry! I think I got it this time.

 

[Bluetail]

Hi lassa8. No, it's not a gull. It's actually a tern and I'm pretty confident it's a Sandwich Tern.

Json

 

[lassa8]

I didn't think Sandwich Terns were found in Alabama in the summer? Could it be a Gull-Billed Tern?

 

[Charles Harper]

Good job, lassa. Gull-billed it is, relatively shorter and stouter bill, shorter tail. Mantle seems the darker extreme of either species.

 

[cuckooroller]

You're both right. Gull-billed it is.

 

[Jane Turner]

Agreed - Nice photo too!

 

[Bluetail]

Doh! My first thought was Gull-billed, but I didn't think you got them over there!

Jason