I think Whiskered looks a good call Rob. The old 'dangers of identifying a bird from one picture' line might be worth trotting out here!
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sterna hirundo or not?? (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter jonafly
- Start date
jonafly
Well-known member
whiskered?
Hi Rob,
It was in Cañada de los pajaros (recovery center) in a (pretty large) cage. It didn't fly at all 9couldn't?), it didn't eat, it didn't move, it was grooming itself a bit, he/she was the only one of this kind in the cage, so not much to go on.
But when I look at the image I attached just now, I say: "Yes, bill colour's right, bill shape and length might be right, leg colour's right. But I don't know much about seabirds.
André
Hi Rob,
It was in Cañada de los pajaros (recovery center) in a (pretty large) cage. It didn't fly at all 9couldn't?), it didn't eat, it didn't move, it was grooming itself a bit, he/she was the only one of this kind in the cage, so not much to go on.
But when I look at the image I attached just now, I say: "Yes, bill colour's right, bill shape and length might be right, leg colour's right. But I don't know much about seabirds.
André
Attachments
Joern Lehmhus
Well-known member
Whiskered Tern really seems to be the best fit , allthough the bill seems to be unusually dark and the bird very white.
(I did only think in terms of Sterna terns before, completely forgot whiskered tern)
(I did only think in terms of Sterna terns before, completely forgot whiskered tern)
I guess it's in winter plumage (not sure if it's an adult or immature), so that would explain the dark bill, dull legs and pale upperparts.
Joern Lehmhus
Well-known member
Shouldn´t be there less black in the cap then?
have only seen the species in summer plumage , but would expect a more reduced cap in winter plumage.
on the other hand, to m yimpression the bird does not look very healthy at all so the moult pattern may be changed...
have only seen the species in summer plumage , but would expect a more reduced cap in winter plumage.
on the other hand, to m yimpression the bird does not look very healthy at all so the moult pattern may be changed...
Charles Harper
Régisseur
Trying to find decent illustrations. The Whiskered in the Korean field guide is a pretty good match, including your primary pattern, Birdspotter. Harrison says White-winged Black in winter plumage closely resembles Whiskered, and it has more black on the crown, but then it has that earspot too...
Rob Smallwood
Well-known member
Adult, but obviously unwell "Chlidonias hybridus" for me - beware photographs indeed! The latest photo (with light behind and possibly without flash?) seems to clinch it.
If it is "hybridus" would that give half a point to those who suspected it might be a "hybrid" ?
If it is "hybridus" would that give half a point to those who suspected it might be a "hybrid" ?
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cuckooroller
Registered User
Jane Turner
Well-known member
So obvious now 
